TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- A riding-in-tandem killers shot dead a parish priest in Gattaran town in Cagayan on Sunday morning, April 29.
In a report reaching Cagayan provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Warren Tolito, the victim was identified as Fr. Mark Anthony Yuaga Ventura, a resident of Barangay Naruangan in Tuao town.
Initial investigations showed Ventura had just finished saying the Holy Mass in Barangay Piña Weste Gymnasium when a man in helmet walked near and shot him twice. He was proclaimed dead on the spot.
Police also said he was currently blessing the children and talking to the choir members when the assailants killed him.
The suspect, together with the driver of the single motorcycle, fled towards the highway going Baggao town, the report added.
Police said motive has yet to determined.
Ventura is currently serving as the parish of San Isidro Labrador Mission Station based in remote Barangay Mabuno, also in Gattaran. Sources said he chose to be assigned in remote barangays because he is a missionary priest.
He also served as a rector at the St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Lyceum of Aparri.
Meanwhile, Governor Manuel Mamba decried the killing of Ventura, as he asked the Cagayan police to conduct a thorough investigation. Northernforum.net
