MANILA - The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday clarified that the supposed priest who was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation in Cavite Thursday is not a member of the Catholic clergy.

In a statement, the CBCP said Richard Alcantara, who was caught allegedly selling illegal drugs, is neither a Catholic bishop nor a priest.

"We have received inquiries regarding a certain 'Bishop' Richard Alcantara who was arrested due to illegal drugs in a buy-bust operation in Bacoor City," the statement said

"Richard Alcantara is neither a Catholic bishop nor a priest of the Roman Catholic Church and is certainly not a member of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)."

Alcantara and his alleged accomplice were arrested by members of the Bacoor City police and operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Tagumpay Compound, Tabing Dagat, Barangay Alima Thursday night.

According to a police report, Alcantara sold a P200 sachet of shabu to a poseur-buyer.

Authorities added that Alcantara is in the drugs watchlist of the Bacoor City police.

Cavite Provincial Police chief Senior Supt. William Segun also clarified that Alcantara is not a member of the Catholic Church but belongs to a different congregation.

Meanwhile, Alcantara insisted that he was only doing research about the effects of illegal drugs. - With a report from Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News