Italian Priest Shot Dead in Philippines

October 18, 2011: The people of the town of Arakan in the Southern Philippines are mourning the death of their Italian parish priest who was shot dead on Sunday. 59 year old Father Fausto Tentorio belonged to the Rome-based Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions or PIME and had worked in the Philippines for over 30 years.The murder was immediately condemned by the Diocese of Kidapawan, Church groups and environmental organizations in the country.
“This is really heinous. We’re so sad and shocked that this killing happened in broad daylight,” said Bishop Romulo dela Cruz of Kidapawan.
“We have yet to know the motive and the identity of the killer and the mastermind in the killing,” said Senior Inspector Benjamin Rioflorido, chief of Arakan police.
Philippino President Benigno Aquino said on Monday whoever is responsible for the murder of Italian missioner Father Fausto Tentorio “will pay” for their crime, “regardless of who they are.” Aquino also said authorities are exploring several leads and “theories,” among them the involvement of a paramilitary group and other “threat groups.”
The priest was due to attend a regular meeting of Kidapawan diocese clergy at the house of Bishop Romulo de la Cruz in Kidapawan City yesterday. Reovoca said Father Tentorio had been an active law and order campaigner in Arakan town.
Only recently, he was appointed as head of a civilian anti-criminal task force in the town, councilor Reovoca said.
“I am a witness to Father Tentorio’s strong stance against mining and other projects which are not sustainable and would harm and affect the indigenous peoples, in particular.”
Father Giovanni Re, PIME Philippines regional superior, said Father Tentorio had escaped attempts on his life by paramilitary groups in the past, “but this is a bit of a surprise for us because the situation here has been quiet for some time.”
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) also condemned the killing, calling it a sign of degeneration of morality and spirituality in the country.