Retiree kills self in front of church altar

MANILA, Philippines -  A 66-year-old man reportedly shot himself in front of the altar in the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Ideal Homes Subdivision in Quezon City.

Inspector Elmer Monsalve, homicide investigation chief of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said Gil Baniqued was dead when he was found by a stay-in worker at past 4 p.m. Monday.

Baniqued sustained a lone gunshot wound in his left temple from the .32 caliber revolver that the victim still held in his right hand.

Policemen also recovered a suicide note at a nearby chair. The QCPD crime laboratory is examining the note to determine if it had been written by the victim.

The worker said she heard a shot fired in the church but ignored it and went to a restroom. After coming out, she passed by the altar and found Baniqued’s body.

Monsalve said Baniqued, a retired employee of the United States Veterans Affairs office, argued with his wife over debts he owed.