Pastor linked to slay of pageant contestant in CDO arrested

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—An influential Baptist church pastor in Lapasan village here was arrested by police operatives on Monday after having been linked to the May 9 murder of Adrian Rovic Fornillos, a former candidate for the Mister Cagayan de Oro City pageant.

Pastor Dimver Andales was arrested at his Baptist church office in Lapasan village here around 9 a.m., based on the warrant of arrest issued by the Cagayan de Oro Regional Trial Court Branch 39, according to Police Capt. Byron John Ratunil, police station commander at Nazareth village here.

Ratunil said the warrant of arrest for murder came after five months of case buildup by the police. Ratunil did not provide details of their evidence against Andales, but earlier reports alleged that the pastor was in a relationship with the girlfriend of Fornillos, a claim that the pastor had denied.

READ: CDO schools shift online to stop spread of flu-like infection

Andales, a known local preacher who ran for but failed to secure a seat at the city council in the 2022 elections, allegedly masterminded the murder of Fornillos, a 24-year-old college student who was shot by unidentified gunman on May 9 this year in Barangay Nazareth here. Fornillos was taken to Northern Mindanao Medical Center, where he died.

Andales had repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing.

After being booked at the police station, he was allowed to undergo a medical checkup after complaining of chest pain and a headache.

READ: Pastor slain in Koronadal City gun attack

Aside from Andales, the Agora police also arrested Juther Judaval Nonot, also a Baptist church preacher and the alleged driver of the getaway vehicle used by the gunman.

Ratunil said there were four other respondents to the warrant, including two John Does.

On Sept. 6 this year, Regional State Prosecutor Merlynn Barola Uy subpoenaed Andales following months of case buildup by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.

—BOBBY LAGSA INQ