The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, or CBCP, has clarified that it is not the entire conference, but rather its Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs or ECPA, that is engaging with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or NTF-ELCAC.

In a statement, CBCP president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said the ECPA is engaging with the NTF-ELCAC to address some Church issues vis-a-vis the government, including the issue of the red-tagging of some cause-oriented groups and Church organizations by the said body.

"We intend to tackle this matter and come up with a concrete resolution on it in our forthcoming meeting of the CBCP's Permanent Council," David said.

"Can this commission engage the said government body in a dialogue without having to join its Execom as a member, i.e., as a private sector representative? We hope to come up with some resolutions on this matter soon," the CBCP head said.

The CBCP has been critical of the NTF-ELCAC's alleged red-tagging activities, which it says have unfairly targeted innocent people. The NTF-ELCAC has denied the allegations.

Doctors back colleague

Meanwhile, medical doctors trooped to the Professional Regulation Commission in Sampaloc, Manila yesterday to attend the pre-trial hearing for their complaint filed before the commission against Dr. Lorraine Marie Badoy for her allegedly malicious statements against Dr. Ma. Natividad Castro.

Badoy, a licensed physician, purportedly called Dr. Castro an active member, recruiter, trainer, and fundraiser of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front.

"Dr. Badoy's statements pose a threat to the lives, liberty, security, and safety of the other licensed physicians and community medical practitioners," said Dr. Eleanor Jara, a community physician and one of the complainants in the case.

Moreover, the doctors said that Badoy's actions go against the fundamental ethical principles and the professional responsibilities of a physician towards their colleagues and the medical profession.