MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang vowed to look into the claim that Catholic priests were asked to leave the venue during the turnover of the Balangiga bells on Saturday, saying President Duterte would not tolerate such “unethical” conduct. The diocese claimed Duterte only wanted Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles to be in the area. He claimed that Caccia, Valles and other priests were seated in the front row and Duterte approached them to exchange pleasantries. Duterte has been at odds with the Catholic Church, which has been critical of his bloody war on illegal drugs. Earlier yesterday, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) denied that the incident against priests in Balangiga took place.

Source: Philippine Star December 16, 2018 22:06 UTC