Suspect in Italian priest’s killing Philippines nabbed

(December 31, 12.2011) The main suspect in the killing of an Italian Catholic Missionary who had campaigned for indigenous people’s rights was arrested Thursday in the restive southern Philippines, the Philippines Justice secretary said. The alleged gunman, Jimmy Ato, was captured in the same Arakan township in Cotabato province where Fr Fausto tentorio, a PIME missionary had served as a parish priest when he was killed outside hi church October 17, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said. The suspect’s brother and alleged accomplice fired upon arresting officers and was unable to escape, de Lima said, adding that no one was wounded. Ato’s brother is suspected of driving the motorcycle they used to escape after Ato allegedly shot Tentorio. The police said the 59-year-old Tentorio was shot ten times from close range inside his church compound as he prepared to leave for a meeting. He was a beloved longtime parish priest who was fluent in the local dialect and had close ties with the townspeople, said Arakan police chief Benjeamin Rioflorido. A staunch anti-mining advocate, the Italian missionary championed the rights of marginalized indigenous people.