Baptist pastor killed in ambush

MANILA, Philippines – A pastor of a church in Pangasinan was on his way to work at a food firm in Quezon City when he was shot dead in an ambush staged by at least two men yesterday morning.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) chief Superintendent Antonio Yarra identified the victim as Joseph Saliba, 42, pastor of the Baptist church in Dagupan, Pangasinan and human resources manager of the GTGF Food Corp. He was staying with his brother, lawyer Jonjon Saliba, at San Pedro 2 in Barangay Tandang Sora.

Records show Saliba was on his way to work at around 9:30 a.m. yesterday, driving a white Nissan Sentra (PDI-934). As he slowed down along Banlat Road, the gunman – who was waiting for him in front of the Jubilee Villas townhouse complex – fired several shots, shattering the window on the driver’s side and hitting the victim in the neck and chest.

The hitman commandeered a tricycle and rejoined his companion in a white car a few blocks down the road. They fled towards Mindanao Avenue, witnesses told investigators.

Yarra said 10 shells fired from a .45 caliber pistol were found at the crime scene.

He said witnesses described Saliba’s killer as a 40 to 45-year-old man, 5’7” tall, wearing a white shirt, khaki shorts, rubber shoes and a gray cap.

Yarra said they have yet to establish the motive for the killing. He said the victim may have been mistaken for someone else or the killing could be related to his work.

Yarra said Saliba stayed with his brother during the week and went home to Pangasinan on weekends to fulfill his vocation as a pastor.

Yarra said the car used by Saliba was one of three identical cars registered to his lawyer-brother. The lawyer told Yarra he intended the cars, which he bought in July this year, to be used in his taxi business. He said his brother was using the cars alternately to “break them in.”