MANILA, Philippines—The alleged gunman and an accomplice in the killing of Italian missionary priest Fausto Tentorio have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation after a brief gunfight in Arakan, North Cotabato, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday.
Fr. Fausto Tentorio. PHOTO COURTESY OF PIME
In a text message, De Lima said that Jimmy Ato was arrested by operatives of NBI’s Region 12 office in his house in Sitio Mahiwakwak, Barangay Kolaman Valley on Thursday.
She said witnesses identified Ato as the man who shot Tentorio inside the victim’s parish compound in Arakan on October 17.
Also arrested was the suspect’s brother, Robert Ato, who supposedly drove the motorcycle which the gunman boarded after shooting Tentorio.
“When arrested, subject’s brother Robert Ato fired upon our operatives. Fortunately, nobody was injured,” De Lima said.