Just as President Duterte’s relentless drug war campaign intensifies as the days and weeks pass by, the Justice Department has floated a partial portion of its intelligence report about the situation inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
Curiously, the most awaited is the yet to be named certain religious group(s) that plays a big role in bringing illegal drugs and prostitution inside the walls of the Muntinlupa-based prison.
Using his latest blog entry at Controversy Extraordinary as an open letter, Bro. Eli Soriano appealed to the President to reveal the religious group linked to the illegal drug and prostitution culprit there as soon as due probes have been completed.
A Most Welcome Move
In the aptly-titled article published on August 5, “Dear Pres. Duterte: Pls Name Religious Group Conduit of Illegal Drugs Inside Prison,” the international televangelist welcomed the recent move of the administration to prohibit for some time religious activities in the NBP.
“The move of the authorities that we may consider now as “powers that be” in prohibiting for sometime religious activities in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) is welcome to the Members Church of God International (MCGI),” explained Bro. Eli.
“The reason given is that there are or there is a religious group acting as conduit for illegal drugs and prostitution in the national penitentiary.
Bro. Eli, the Overall Servant to MCGI, said that unless President Duterte or the DOJ announce the name of the religious group suspected to be involved in illegal drugs, all religious groups entering the NBP may be considered as “accused.”
“We believe in the integrity and sincerity of the present regime in solving criminality in our beloved country,” indicated Bro. Eli, adding, “But for the sake of justice and fairness, we, in the MCGI, humbly appeal to authorities, after due investigation, to reveal to the general public in due time who this group(s) is so that not all religious groups entering the NBP may be considered as “accused.”
In a report by CNN Philippines, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre bared that a certain ‘Iglesia’ was involved in the contraband seized in the said prison worth over 1 million pesos.
Writing as Mr. Controversy, the Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) host emphasized in his blog why there is a need to inform the public about this drug culprit, not only because there is a legal implication but also because of the aspect of religious rights.
Clean Record
The MCGI has never had members accused or imprisoned for crimes that warrant being locked in the New Bilibid Prison, according to Bro Eli. He added that he will welcome any move that the DOJ will impose, including the imposition of temporary prohibition of religious activities in light of this new development in the investigation.
Preaching the Gospel of Christ in all levels of penitentiaries is what the MCGI religious group has been doing for more than three decades now. While Bro. Eli acknowledged the need for conventional drug rehabilitation, he wrote that it is “the word of God in the Holy Scriptures that helps in the permanent renewal of a person.
The blogging preacher grieved the fall of humanity because of drug addiction. “The insanity that ails the human race in this present generation, one of which is drug addiction, is caused by the stupidity of no less than “great religious leaders.” They are preaching un-truth.”
As a result of the deception, Bro. Eli said that people are misled by these pretentious religious groups’ false acts of righteousness – “a mask that they wear.”
Since last month, Bro. Eli, a.k.a. Mr. Controversy, has been blogging about the incumbent administration’s war against illegal drugs, health effects of drug addiction, and how drug addicts might cope through rehabilitation and spiritual transformation.
Written by Ma. Therese Quita
