Man kills self before church altar

A former employee of the United States Veterans Affairs Office shot and killed himself in church on Monday in Commonwealth, Quezon City, right in front of the altar, police said.

Inspector Elmer Monsalve of the Quezon City Police District said Gil Baniqued, 66, left what appeared to be a suicide note.

The note mainly asked for forgiveness, the officer said.

Monsalve said a female church worker first heard a gunshot and then found Baniqued already dead at around 4:30 p.m. inside Holy Trinity Parish Church on Chopin Street in Ideal Homes Subdivision.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound in his left temple, with a .32-cal. revolver still in his hand when found.

The note, which was found next to the body, was turned over to the Quezon City police to have the handwriting verified.

Baniqued died right below an image of Christ, the police said.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)

Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.