TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A suspect in the killing of an Indonesian Catholic priest while he was celebrating mass on Palm Sunday in Barangay Mabongtot, Lubuagan, Kalinga in 2007 has been arrested, a police official said yesterday.
Tamani Awingan was 15 years old at the time of the attack on Fr. Francisco Madhug, 31, then assistant parish priest of St. Paul Church in Lubuagan. Tawingan, now 22, was among four people charged with Madhug’s murder, according to Kalinga police director Senior Superintendent Victor Wanchakan.
He was arrested by Tabuk and Benguet police officers in Barangay Abatan, Buguias, Benguet last week, Wanchakan said.
Awingan, a mechanic, was arrested based on a 2007 warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Milnar Lammawing.
Police also arrested a certain Nestor Wailan, said to be a member of a private armed group, following the incident.