A priest died after being shot by an unidentified assailant in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon last Sunday night.
In a report by Police Regional Office X on Monday, the victim was identified as Fr. Rene Regalado, 42.
Regalado’s bloody body was found near the Carmelite Monastery in Barangay 9.
According to authorities, the victim had a gunshot wound to the head and there was also an indication that he had been beaten due to injuries to his left eye.
He also said that his hands were tied, the police added.
Based on the initial investigation, another priest, Fr. Elvis Petros, heard a gunshot at around 7:00 pm but he did not know where it came from.
According to some personnel of the said monastery, the victim left around 2:00 pm to go to the Diocesan Formation Center in Barangay 10.
He was last seen alive around 7:00 pm.
The victim had previously received a threat to his life.
Authorities found a .45 caliber gun and several bullets at the crime scene.
The investigation into the incident and the pursuit of the perpetrators are ongoing.
Also read: Red Cross Manila labs can process 8K saliva COVID-19 tests daily
Councilor shot dead in Samar
A councilor in Pinabacdao, Samar was shot and killed in Barangay Laygayon this Monday morning. The victim’s companion, who is also a councilor, was not harmed.
Based on information from Police Regional Office VIII, the victim was identified as councilor Samuel Lagario, 50-years-old.
During the initial police investigation, it was said that Lagario was riding a motorcycle with councilor Robert Balundo when perpetrators shot the victim.
Balundo was not harmed, as the perpetrators allegedly ordered him to alight from the motorcycle.
Lagario and Balundo were supposed to be going to the council session when the incident happened.
Authorities are still investigating the motive for the crime and are still pursuing the perpetrators.
Also read: Task force members who apprehended Parañaque vendor to face admin raps