BALANGA CITY — Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos on Wednesday asked for prayers for a peaceful solution to the Marawi crisis.
“It is at this moment that we have to turn first to God, to beg Him to let peace and order reign in our country,” the bishop of the diocese of Balanga said.
Santos hoped that the Maute and other extremist groups renounce violence and have change of hearts.
“Though different in faith and customs, we are all Filipinos. We have the same God who wants both our goodwill and salvation,” the prelate said.
He called on citizens to be calm, law-abiding and caring for one another. “We must renounce violence and destruction and always be ready to help and of service to one another,” Santos said.
The Bataan bishop is chair of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
