Philippines: Two Christian groups join forces against casino in Opol

The archbishop of Cagayan de Oro was joined by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente to start an anti-casino campaign.

The Philippines.- Criticism against a new PAGCOR casino venue, the Grand Imperial, is growing.

Days after the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro published an open letter against the casino venue in Barangay Taboc, members of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) also expressed their opposition against the casino complex.

The leaders of the two religious groups will start a signature campaign against the casino while Archbishop Jose Cabantan is preparing a new letter against the gambling hub.

According to Rappler, IFI Bishop Felixberto Calang of Cagayan de Oro stated: “IFI strongly opposes any form of gambling. Casino promotes games of chance, gambling.”

He then added the casino is located near an IFI church, something that is seen as an offence for the religious group.

Monsignor Rey Monsanto, the parish priest of the Barangay Camaman-an Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Cagayan de Oro, had previously said that when the casino opened, the residents were “surprised”.

The Archdiocese learned of its existence through Father Joel Oga, the priest of the Diocese of Opol.

Monsanto even stated: “We will vigorously oppose its operation and would even resort to picketing its entrances.”

Last November, several Catholic church leaders also expressed their opposition to the country’s e-sabong bill.