STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan — The Police Regional Office 1 (Ilocos) has assured the safety of priests in the region amid the murder of three Catholic priests in nearby provinces in the past six months.
PRO-1 Director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, in an interview on Thursday, said no priest in the region has been killed due to preventive measures that have been put in place, on orders of Philippine National Police Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.
“We should be proactive. We assured that they will be safe despite the threats they receive,” Sapitula said.
He further said that he has ordered chiefs of police in the region to visit clergymen in their areas of responsibility and conduct patrols around churches, parishes and residences of priests to ensure their safety.
“I’m offering security services to all the priests, especially to the ones who receive threats. I even gave my personal number to some priests I personally know to assist them,” he said.
Sapitula also vowed to prevent these killings at all cost.
In December last year, Father Marcelito Paez of Jaen, Nueva Ecija was shot dead by motorcycle-riding suspects while he was driving.
Father Mark Ventura of Gattaran, Cagayan was shot last April 29 as he was blessing children and choir members after Mass.
The latest fatality was Father Richmond Nilo of the Diocese of Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. (Ahikam Pasion/PNA)
