The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao has stressed that the ongoing probe into the killing of Cagayan priest Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura should not be muddled by “unfounded rumors and malicious insinuations.”
Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg urged the public to refrain from forming speculations and just let the truth come out so justice for the slain priest would be served.
“We do not want to speculate on what the reasons are for his death. Neither do we want that the investigation be muddled by the spreading unfounded rumors and malicious insinuations,” Utleg said in a statement.
“Obviously he had enemies. We do not know who they are or why they had to kill him,” the Tuguegarao archbishop added.
Utleg said he trusts the Philippine National Police (PNP) to “faithfully” do its job in investigating Fr. Ventura’s death.
“We wish (the PNP) success, to come out with solid evidence, to apprehend the killers and determine the mastermind,” he said.
Fr. Ventura was fatally shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen after he concluded mass at a gymnasium in Gattaran, Cagayan on April 29. /ee
READ: Cagayan parish priest shot dead after saying Mass