Priest defrocked for wanting to marry is shot dead in front of son

A defrocked priest from the town of Maramag was shot dead on Thursday. The killing took place in front of his eldest son.

Hospital authorities declared 45-year-old  Teresito M Labastilla dead on arrival with a gunshot wound to his forehead.

Police are saying that Labastilla was waiting for a ride to send his son to school when a tandem riding motorcycle passed by and shot the former priest.

“The gunman must have been a shooter as seen in the lone fatal shot on the victim’s forehead,” police note.

Authorities are still determining the identity and motive of the shooting.

Labastilla, who has three children, served as the parish priest of Maramag several years ago and was defrocked after he decided to marry.