PNP pursues charge against trigger-happy priest in Capiz town

Fr. Frederico Lim Jr. —PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK

ILOILO CITY — The Philippine National Police is pursuing a criminal charge against a parish priest in Capiz province who fired an unlicensed gun during an altercation with teenagers last month.

The illegal possession of firearm complaint against Fr. Federico Lim Jr., parish priest of Dumarao town in Capiz, is undergoing preliminary investigation at the Capiz Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, according to Senior Insp. Juvy Cordero, Dumarao police chief.

Police arrested Lim on July 28 after he fired a .45-caliber pistol at a group of teenagers during an altercation over the teenagers’ motorcycles parked at the church compound.

Apology

No one was hurt and the teenagers filed an affidavit of noninterest to file an attempted murder complaint after Lim apologized to them.

The gun turned out to have an expired license, which prompted police to file a complaint against Lim for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).

Lim was initially detained at the Dumarao police station but was later brought to St. Anthony College Hospital in Roxas City after his blood pressure rose.

The Capiz Archdiocese has designated a parish administrator for Dumarao and is pursuing canonical proceedings to investigate Lim and determine his liabilities.

Church statement

In a statement to its flock, the Capiz Archdiocese earlier expressed “sorrow and regret that this unfortunate incident happened.”

“We assure our faithful that we will respect and abide by the law and legal procedures,” the archdiocese statement said.

“We further assure that the Archdiocese of Capiz is undertaking canonical procedures to investigate the incident and address the matter,” it said.

“We appeal for your continued prayer,” added the statement, which was released by Fr. Jose Arturo Emilio Arbatin, the archdiocese’s social communications director.