2 motorcycle-riding gunmen snatch Basilan priest’s belongings

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Unidentified armed suspects on a motorbike held a Diocesan priest at gunpoint and took his personal belongings on Wednesday night at Barangay Menzi, Isabela City, Basilan.

Police Superintendent Gilzen Niño Manese, Isabela City police director, said Fr. Euclid Dueñas Balosbalos, 45, of Santa Isabel Cathedral Parish, was driving his motorbike on his way home to Barangay Cabunbata when men aboard another motorbike hit the back of his head.

When the priest lost his balance on his motorbike, the two suspects grabbed his sling bag and fled.

“The victim sustained serious physical injuries and based on initial investigation, the suspects had been tailing him,” said Manese,

He said he learned about the hold-up incident from the personnel of Infante Hospital around 11 p.m. on August 29.

The priest’s bag contained a Samsung smartphone, a driver’s license and about P200 cash.

Balosbalos suffered serious injuries on his head but Manese said the priest was out of danger.