‘No shots fired inside Baclaran Church’

MANILA, Philippines — An intoxicated man carrying a firearm caused a commotion at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque on Sunday, but no shot was fired, according to the shrine’s rector.

Fr. Rico John Bilangel, rector of the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, said authorities immediately arrested the gun-wielding man.

Reports said the incident occurred as churchgoers were waiting for the afternoon Sunday mass between 4:40 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“It is important to clarify that no shooting occurred,” Bilangel said, adding, “We are urging the public not to spread unverified information to prevent confusion and panic.”

According to the Southern Police District, a 30-year-old helper from Cavite exhibiting “suspicious behavior” and under the influence of alcohol was escorted out of Redemptorist Church.

The suspect, known only as Jenevie, resisted by punching a security guard.

Churchgoers quickly restrained Jenevie until police arrived.

Police said they recovered from the suspect an unlicensed .38-caliber handgun loaded with one bullet.

Charges of alarm and scandal, disobedience to an agent of a person in authority and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act have been filed against the suspect. — Evelyn Macairan