Lay minister shot dead in Sibonga

CEBU, Philippines - A 58-year-old lay minister was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Barangay Can-aga in the town of Sibonga on Thursday morning.

Victim Vicente Carcalias Padillo, a resident of the place, died immediately of a gunshot wound to the back.

Police Officer 2 Ederlino Bacusmo of Sibonga Police Station said investigation showed that prior to the incident, Padillo went to his farm at around 6 a.m. to attend to his crops.

About 10 minutes later, residents heard bursts of gunfire but did not pay much attention to it.

At around 10 a.m., Padillo’s wife Ludy, 50, started to wonder where he was as they have earlier planned to go to Barangay Papan to buy livestock. She then asked their daughter to fetch the victim.

The child proceeded to the farm and was surprised to discover her bloodied father lying on the ground and apparently dead already. She immediately told her mother about the matter who then asked for help from barangay councilor Boy Potestas to call the police.

Initial investigation further showed that the suspect appeared to be busy attending to his crops when the assailant shot him three times from behind, but was only able to hit him once.

According to Ludy, Bacusmo said, she doesn’t know anyone who had an argument with her husband.

“Lay minister man gud ni iyang bana. Mutabang pa man gani kuno ni ug muhatag pa og tambag ingun sa iyang asawa,” Bacusmo said.

Before the incident though, five neighbors of the victim who were having a drinking spree outside their store allegedly asked him to lend them more liquor, but he refused.

“Gi-imbitar na ‘na namo ari kana ilang mga silingan, pero matud pa nila wala man sila magka-away ato,” Bacusmo said. “Nibalik pa gani kuno sila sayo sa buntag bag-o ang insidente para mangutang na pud og suway, gipa-utang man pud sila,” the police officer added.

Police recovered an empty shell and ammunition of a .45 cal. pistol from the crime scene.

The victim’s remains now lies at their residence while police are conducting investigation for the possible arrest of the gunman and to determine his motive. — Patrice Kate B. Rebuta, USJ-R MassComm Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)