BUKIDNON PROVINCE-— A Diocesan Priest was killed Sunday night in the sub-village of Pal-ing, Barangay Patpat of Malaybalay town this province.
Malaybalay City Police Lt. Col Jerry Tambis identified the priest as Fr. Rene B. Regalado, 42, Parish Priest of San Francisco Javier Parish in Kibangay, Lantapan, Bukidnon.
In an official police report, Tambis stated “Investigation conducted to the priest resident of Carmelite Monastery Fr. Elvis Petros y Ariza, 48 years old, single, a resident of the said place heard five gunshot burst at about 7:30 PM but he didn’t verify where it was coming from, on the other hand.”
At about 9:45 in the evening, PSSgt. Fermin Delfin together with his cousin passed the area saw the SUV Chevrolet parked, inclined at the road and noticed the unconscious body of the victim that prompted him to asked assistance at the Carmelite Monastery.
Upon verification, they saw the unconscious body of the victim bathed with his blood with gunshot wound on his head.
Fr. Regalado was brought to Malaybalay Provincial hospital but was declared dead upon arrival by the attending physician.
The police reported that the victim left his room at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon on his way going to Diocesan Formation Center at Barangay 10, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
He was last seen at about around 7 o’clock in the evening leaving the formation center alone.
Further police investigation revealed that the priest have been receiving threat.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team recovered the following from the crime scene: one (1) unit Colt .45 caliber pistol with serial number 827511 and two (2) magazines, one (1) empty shell and ten (10) live cartridges and his own SUV Chevrolet.
Police investigators saw a white lace tied on the left wrist on the priest.
Tambis said they are still investigating the circumstance behind the death of the priest.
Fr. Regalado was ordained as priest on October 18, 2007.-Newsline
