A ROMAN Catholic priest has been suspended from his functions following his arrest on child sex charges after he was allegedly caught with a 13-year-old girl procured from a pimp, a Philippine church official said Tuesday. The church and the police are conducting separate investigations into the case of Monsignor Arnel F. Lagarejos after he was arrested in a suburb of Metro Manila on Friday, said retired Bishop Oscar V. Cruz. Mr. Lagarejos, a parish priest and head of a religious college near the capital, was taken into custody by police after the girl was handed over to him by her pimp, said Mr. Cruz, who is heading the church’s investigation. The police declined to comment, citing a law requiring confidentiality of all parties in such cases. The results of the church investigation will be sent to the Vatican for judgement, Mr. Cruz said, adding that Mr. Lagarejos could be stripped of all his priestly functions if found guilty. — AFP

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