A Filipino police officer inspects a motorcycle rider in Manila April 14. Father Richmond Villaflor Nilo was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen June 10. (CNS photo/Mark R. Cristino, EPA)

Philippine authorities arrest suspect in priest’s murder

773 0

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — Philippine authorities announced June 15 that they had arrested their “prime suspect” in the killing of Father Richmond Villaflor Nilo, reported ucanews.com.

The suspect, identified as Adell Roll Milan, was arrested in San Isidro June 14, the same day Father Nilo was buried.

A witness reportedly identified Milan, an alleged former drug user and hitman, as having shot the priest June 10. Authorities said police have also identified the vehicles used by the gunman and his accomplices, ucanews.com reported.

Father Nilo was shot and killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen at a village chapel in Zaragoza while he was about to celebrate Mass. He was the third priest and the second in Nueva Ecija province killed in six months.

Bishop Sofronio Bancud of Cabanatuan celebrated Father Nilo’s funeral at St. Nicolas of Tolentine Cathedral in Cabanatuan. Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, papal nuncio to the Philippines, and several priests and bishops concelebrated.

In his homily, Bishop Bancud reminded Catholics to follow the example of the slain priest and help those in need.

He urged members of the clergy to “draw strength from Jesus Christ” especially “if we are being targeted.”

Bishop Bancud said the funeral was “a moment for all our Catholic faithful to storm the heavens with prayers for his soul, for the swift and just resolution of the case.”

“We grieve because we lost a brother, shepherd, father, and friend to a murderer’s bullet,” he added.

Related Post

Christian missionaries are seen in Guwahati, India, April 30. Pope Francis said May 26 that Catholics, especially members of religious orders, are called to be bold, creative and consoling "missionaries without borders. (CNS photo/Stringer, EPA)

Mission means never saying, ‘It’s always been done this way,’ pope says

Posted by - June 3, 2017 0
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics, especially members of religious orders, are called to be bold, creative and consoling “missionaries without…
A tourist photographs the sea in Palau in the Pacific OIcean . In a message for World Tourism Day Sept. 27, Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the "digital transformation" of tourism has the potential for promoting happier and healthier vacations that do more to protect the natural environment and promote authentic encounters between people. (CNS photo/David Chang, EPA)

Use internet to promote tourism that respects environment, Vatican says

Posted by - August 11, 2018 0
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With more and more people planning their vacations online and sharing their experiences digitally, the tourism…