Philippine governor wants no charges if attacker is mentally ill

Published: 2007-10-02

SAN FERNANDO, Philippines (CNS) -- A priest who serves as provincial governor of Pampanga said he wants police to drop charges against a man who allegedly drew a knife on him if the man is mentally ill. Father Eddie Panlilio told the Asian church news agency UCA News Oct. 2 that he had asked police to bring Rafael Enriquez to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for psychiatric evaluation. The priest said he also directed the provincial legal office to study the apparent attack on his life the previous day. Father Panlilio, the first Catholic priest elected to public office in the Philippines, took the oath of office as governor June 30 and is not practicing his priestly ministries during his three-year term. Enriquez, 30, approached Father Panlilio from behind as reporters were interviewing the governor in the lobby of the capitol. The governor had just launched his "White Ribbon Campaign" for good governance. Police reports said Enriquez pulled a six-inch knife out of his bag and raised it behind the priest's back. However, a security aide grabbed the man's hand, and the attacker was taken to the police station for investigation.

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