THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has stripped Monsignor Arnel Lagajeros of his duties after he was caught in what police said was an entrapment operation at the lobby of an unidentified motel with a 13-year-old girl in Marikina City.
Police sources said the priest was also removed from his post as president of Cainta Catholic College, which is operated by the Cainta Church, ecclesiastically known as the Our Lady of Light Parish Church, one of the oldest churches established in Rizal.
Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, head of the CBCP’s legal department, is expected to lead a separate investigation of Lagarejos’ attempt to have sex with a minor.
Lagajeros, who holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology, was not available for comment, and is facing human trafficking and child abuse charges filed by the police.
“If the Church found that there was wrongdoing, the priest must be punished. We will send our investigation [result] to Rome,” Cruz said, short of giving out other details.
Antipolo Bishop Francis de Leon said the priest was caught in an entrapment Friday night conducted supposedly to apprehend minors involved in prostitution which police said was facilitated by an unidentified 16-year-old pimp.
Police did not say if charges would also be filed against the pimp.
Bishop De Leon appealed to the public to “refrain from issuing unnecessary comments that might worsen the situation” and instead asked the faithful to pray that the truth might be uncovered.
No other details were available.
