Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) — A priest was gunned down in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Sunday night, just a few meters away from a monastery, authorities said.
According to a report by the city police station on Monday, Fr. Rene Regalado was shot dead by unidentified suspects at around 7:30 p.m. in Sitio Pal-ing, Barangay Patpat, near the Malaybalay Carmelite monastery. He was 42 years old.
Before his death, the priest was reportedly last seen at the Diocesan Formation Center in Barangay 10 at around 7 p.m.
Police said another priest residing in the Carmelite monastery heard multiple gunshots that night but didn’t verify the source. Regalado’s body was later found when a police officer passed by the area and saw the SUV Chevrolet owned by the priest “parked inclined at the road” and noticed the victim’s body near the vehicle.
He was found with gunshot wounds to the head and a bruised left eye, indicating that he was mauled, according to authorities. A white shoelace was also tied on his left hand.
Recovered from the crime scene was a .45 Colt pistol with 10 bullets and an empty shell. The priest’s car will be further examined for possible evidence.
Police said they are currently trying to establish the motive behind the murder, but bared Regalado had reportedly received threats, based on accounts from people who knew him. They are also considering possible links to a rape case filed against the priest in Lala, Lanao del Norte in 2020, which they said is still pending.
In a statement, the Diocese of Malaybalay denounced the “heinous crime” and called for justice for the death of its member. It said Regalado’s body is now at the San Isidro Labrador Cathedral for the wake before his interment at the Malaybalay Catholic Cemetery.
CNN Philippines’ Bukidnon-based correspondent Melchor Velez contributed to this report.
