A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Malaybalay in the southern Philippines was shot and killed on Sunday evening, January 24.
Father Rene Regalado was killed while on his way to a seminary in the village of Patpat in the city of Malaybalay where he was reportedly teaching.
Policemen who answered the call for assistance from priests at St. John XXIII College Seminary found Father Regalado dead “with gunshots on his head.”
Police investigator Staff Sgt. Jeffrey LLoren told LiCAS.news that the body of Father Regalado was lying about three meters from his vehicle.
“His left eye had contusions as if he was mauled prior to his death,” said the police investigator. “Father Regalado was already dead when we arrived,” he added.
Lloren said investigators also discovered that the left arm of the priest was “tied with a white shoe lace.”
A .45 caliber pistol with ten unspent bullets and one empty shell was also found in the crime scene.
“The unspent bullets were extracted from the pistol which was also left behind,” said the policeman.
Priests from St. John XXIII College Seminary called the police after hearing several gunshots at about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Lloren said the priest’s body was found a few meters from the gate of the Carmelite Monastery in the village.
He said the priest was reported to be on his way back to St. John XXIII College Seminary when the assailants waylaid him.
In a statement, the Diocese of Malaybalay condemned the killing, saying it is “deeply wounded and saddened with the news of the untimely passing to eternal life of one its clergy.”
Regalado, known as “Paring Bukidnon (Mountain priest),” is known for his endorsement of organic farming and other issues concerning farmers.
He was ordained on Oct. 18, 2007, by Bishop Honesto Pacana of Bukidnon.
He had his pre-college and college seminary formation at St. John XXIII Pre-College and College Seminaries in Malaybalay City.
Father Regalado finished his theological studies at the St. John Mary Vianney Theological Seminary in Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City.
Father Regalado came from the village of Sinayawan in Valencia City.
Source: Licas Philippines
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