Priest killed in the South, the motive remains a mystery
Priest killed in the South, the motive remains a mystery.
ICC Note: The killing of this priest is not known. It would appear that they shot him because he was a priest.
4/2/07 Philippines For full story (AsiaNews/Agencies) An Indonesian Catholic priest was shot to death by four armed men as he was preparing to celebrate Palm Sunday mass in Lubuagan, a city in the southern province of Kalinga . The reason for the killing is unknown.
According to Col. Francis Lardizabal, commander in chief of the local police, Fr. Francis Madhu (31) was shot five times in the chest with an M16 rifle, killing him instantly.
Ralinga Chief of police, Severino Cruz, added that one of the accused a local farmer, Nestor Wailan, shouted at the priest Are you ready? and then shot him.
His parishioners describe Fr. Madhu native of Flores as friendly, accessible and always caring of the communities needs. The apostolic vicar of Tabuk, Msgr. Prudencio Andaya, has travelled to Lubuagan to claim the priests body for burial.