The congregation of St Peter the Apostle Parish in Loboc, Bohol, are mourning the suicide of the parish priest who was found hanging in his room on Monday night.
56-year-old Marcelino Dano Briliran was found inside the bathroom of his room at about 6pm. A church worker went looking for him after he did not come out of his room for dinner.
Police say the priest used an extension cord to hang himself with.
Relatives said Briliran was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015 – since that time, he had been severely depressed.
Biliran had celebrated his 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary – he originally studied at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran City where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy.
He was also the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Mabolo, Cebu City.
Biliran is said to have served as parish priest in several parishes throughout Bohol.