ICC Note: Father Rey Urmeneta, a former chaplain of the Philippine National Police was injured after two gunmen shot him on his way to a church meeting on June 6. This is the third Catholic priest shot in the Philippines since last December. Police is still investigating the motive for the attack, though the priest suspects it’s money dispute.

06/06/2018 Philippines (UCA News) – A Catholic priest who used to serve as chaplain of the Philippine National Police was wounded after a gun attack in Calamba City, about 60 kilometers from Manila, on June 6.

Father Rey Urmeneta, 64, a priest at St. Michael the Archangel parish in the city, was on his way to a church meeting when two gunmen shot him.

A police report obtained by ucanews.com said the priest was in his car with secretary Remedios de Belen when the shooting occurred about 9.40 a.m.

Father Urmeneta suffered wounds to his left upper back and left arm. He was rushed to hospital where he was reported to be in stable condition.

An investigation was ongoing to determine the motive for the attack, although the priest has already told police that the incident might have something to do with people who owed him money.

In April, Father Mark Ventura from Gattaran town in the northern Philippines died after being shot by a lone gunman shortly after celebrating Sunday Mass.

On Dec. 4, 2017, Father Marcelito Paez was also shot and killed in the town of Jaen, Nueva Ecija province.

Faith-based social development network Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) has expressed “lament” over the death of the priests who were known to be human rights defenders.

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