Pastor held over church employee’s slay

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A pastor tagged in the killing of a church employee in this city on Thursday morning has surrendered to the police.

Chosen Gem Abesta, 37, of the Seventh Day Adventist church, allegedly shot dead Benjamin Mendez, 65, inside the compound of the SDA-North Central Mindanao Conference.

Capt. Emilita Simon, spokesperson for the Cagayan de Oro City police, said Abesta fled after the incident, but later surrendered to the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at Camp Evangelista.

Probers are looking into a financial dispute as the motive for the killing.

Meanwhile, in Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. condemned the killing of a Catholic school teacher and called for swift justice.

Andaya urged authorities to conduct a speedy, impartial and transparent investigation into the murder of Mark Christian Malaca, 39, of the St. Stephen Academy in Laur town.

Reports said Malaca was shot dead on Nov. 4 by two motorcycle-riding men who were wearing helmets, masks and black jackets.