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The Republic of the Philippines is well known for its inability to handle hostage situations, corruption in government and catastrophic poverty. Now, a new, disturbing face of the Filipino nation has emerged.

GMA News reports that Carlos Celdran, a well-known artist/actor/tour guide in Manila has been charged, at the urging of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, with the crime of “offending religious feelings.”

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Celdran has been a supporter of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, which would encourage the use of contraception and the spreading of sex education in this staunchly Catholic country. The country’s Catholic church, which still wields a high degree of influence among Filipino politicians, has come out strongly against the Bill.

Yesterday, as an act of civil disobedience, Celdran, dressed as Filipino hero Jose Rizal, stood on the alter of Manila Cathedral during Mass holding a sign that read “Damaso” – the villainous priest in Jose Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere.” Manila’s mayor, Alfredo Lim – who has been implicated as being one of those behind the Hong Kong hostage fiasco – was present at Mass and ordered Celdran forcibly removed and held in jail until the Catholic Bishops decided on charges.

Can you say Catholic Taliban?

When do we send in the troops to free Filipinos from such religious tyranny?

Disclosure Note: I have known Carlos Celdran for about four years through my many trips to the Philippines.