The Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan has issued an official warning about a group of men dressed in white clergy cassocks who are roaming the province, claiming to be from an organization called “Filipino Katoliko, Inc.” and soliciting financial support or donations from individuals.

In a statement, the Most Rev. Moises M. Cuevas, D.D., the Apostolic Vicar (Bishop) of Calapan, categorically said that this group neither belongs to the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines nor is affiliated with the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan.

Furthermore, he pointed out that these men in white clothes are neither priests nor seminarians of the Roman Catholic Church.

The statement urges the Catholic faithful to be vigilant in dealing with groups or persons pretending or projecting themselves as Roman Catholic priests without first ascertaining the legitimacy of their identity from their parish priests or lay leaders.

This warning comes after the diocese received multiple reports about the presence of this group, prompting the Vicariate to issue the official clarification.

The Good Shepherd Parish in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, has also released a separate advisory, cautioning the public about these individuals and stressing that they are not connected to the Catholic or Aglipayan churches in the area.

Mindoro residents are advised to be wary of such scams and to carefully verify the credentials of anyone soliciting donations, especially if they are claiming to represent a religious organization.

The diocese urges the faithful to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the local government authorities.