Malaybalay priest killed; clergy calls for justice
MANILA – The Diocese of Malaybalay, currently under its Apostolic Administrator and Vicar General Noel P. Pedregosa expressed alarm over the killing of 42-year-old priest Rene B. Regalado who was gunned down by still unidentified assassins last night.
Fr. Regalado was shot dead early Sunday night near the Carmelites Monastery in Pal-ing, Patpat, Malaybalay City.
In its post over DXDB website, the Diocese of Malaybalay said the late priest was ordained to the priesthood on October 18,2007 by then Bishop Honesto Pacana, SJ. The victim was a priest of the diocese for 13 years and known to be part of the cast of the Paring Bukidnon Paraiso concerts.
The Diocese of Malaybalay has requested its faithful for prayers as well as consolation to his immediate family residing in a village in Valencia City. They also called for Justice.
No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Local police have not established any motive behind the fatal incident.
Spokesmen Major General Edgard Arevalo of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Brig. General Ildebrandi Usana of the Philippine National Police have not issued any statement as of this writing.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP Public Affairs Executive Secretary said they are hoping law enforcers would be able to investigate this case exhaustively.
“We hope to hear from investigators at the soonest time possible,” he said.
Fr. Regalado’s remains lie in state at the Malaybalay Cathedral. Funeral has been scheduled on Friday, January 29,2021.
Three other Catholic priests have been killed in separate incidents since December 2017. (Melo M. Acuña)
Contributed photo from the Diocese of Malaybalay.
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