No shots fired in Baclaran Church incident, says rector

Composite: The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Parañaque, known as Baclaran Church, as seen in September 2020 and interiors of the church as photographed in May 2023

Ranieljosecastaneda and LMP 2001 via Wikimedia; Philstar.com composite

MANILA, Philippines — An intoxicated man carrying a firearm caused a commotion at Baclaran Church on Sunday afternoon, but no shot was fired, the shrine's rector said.

Fr. Rico John Bilangel corrected reports of a shooting and said the scare occurred between around 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 30 at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Parañaque City.

"It's important to clarify that there was no shooting at the church," Bilangel said in Filipino in a statement late Sunday. 

Security personnel and authorities responded to the disturbance and the man was taken into police custody, according to the church.

Two people sustained minor injuries during the incident and were given first aid.

The church did not identify the injured individuals or provide details on how they were hurt.

Police account. A Parañaque police report cited by local media said a security guard approached the man after noticing his suspicious behavior while he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

The man allegedly punched the guard while being escorted out, causing a ruckus. Some churchgoers then helped restrain him until police arrived, according to the report.

Police arrested the troublemaker at around 5:15 p.m.

Authorities reportedly recovered from him a homemade .38-caliber revolver loaded with one round.

The police report, cited by Remate, noted complaints for alarm and scandal, disobedience to an agent of a person in authority and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act were being prepared against the suspect.

Bilangel urged the public not to circulate unverified information about the incident, saying such reports could cause unnecessary confusion and fear.

Baclaran Church is one of Metro Manila's major Catholic shrines and holds several Masses throughout Sundays as well as its well-known Wednesday novena services.