GMANews.tv - Activist priest Fr. Robert Reyes staged a sympathy run in Manila Wednesday to pray for victims of the August 23 hostage tragedy and for the Philippine government. [Does it mean that running and praying at the same time is better than offering the Mass? Seems like it. Why did he not offer Mass?]"We are commemorating the sad day of August 23, but making the necessary prayers for the people who have the task of... bringing back the goodwill and good relations of the Philippines and Hong Kong," Reyes told reporters.
Reyes met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who chairs the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IRRC), the inter-agency panel tasked to look into the tragic hostage-taking of dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza.
"We're happy to light a candle for Secretary De Lima, upon whose shoulders rest this responsibility of bringing the IIRC's work to its favorable conclusion," Reyes added. [Good grief! If I know this priest's publicist I would whack him silly in the head! Is there no better way of getting attention?!]
A dzBB report said Reyes, together with resigned Army general Danilo Lim, started the "Takbo ng Dalamhati at Pananagutan (Run for Sympathy and Accountability)" near the Palace grounds.
While the two managed to offer prayers for the victims – including the police personnel who were traumatized because of the incident – they were not permitted to light candles in front of the Palace grounds.
Reyes and Lim arrived at the Justice Department at 10 a.m., the report said.
Both were also expected to proceed to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, the site of the tragedy, to pay their respects to the victims.
Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed in the incident. Mendoza was also killed by a responding Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team from the Manila police.
The IRRC recently concluded five days of marathon hearings on the hostage tragedy. It is expected to submit its report to President Benigno Aquino III on Friday. — with Sophia Dedace/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
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I know some would get mad at me for saying this but I know the circumstances of why Fr. Robert was unceremoniously 'replaced' at Miraculous Medal Parish at Project 4, Quezon City and why he was sent by Bishop Nes Ongtioco to Taiwan...
So here it goes...
Father you really do not learn! You were asked by your bishop to think over whether you really want to become a priest or a social activist and still you want to be both. But it seems you want to be an activist acting like a priest!
If you really have sympathy for the victims, here's my suggestion.
After you wake up in the morning, say your prayers. Get dressed, lace up your running shoes and do your morning jog...without the media in sight!
Now in the afternoon, offer the Mass for the victims of the tragedy and for others who ask of your prayers!
At night, pray for us again. But for the love of God, stop running and making it into some kind of crusade. I for one grew up seeing you run in TV for soooooo many reasons.
It has to stop!
Just be a priest in a church....please!
Pray in your room or chapel and stop using your exercise regimen for your 'prayers' and 'protests'
Not a few people were not impressed by his pet pythons in the Holy Sacrifice "zoo" at UP. While I love wildlife, I found it inappropriate to have zoo animals in a churchyard.
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