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Missionary seeks probe in priest slaying

Says killers of Fr Tentorio must of had 'connections' with authorities
Missionary seeks probe in priest slaying
Fr Fausto Tentorio was shot and killed last year
Published: February 20, 2012 10:09 AM GMT
Updated: February 20, 2012 10:23 AM GMT

An Italian missionary demanded an explanation from the army today as to why soldiers are not included on a list of suspects thought to be behind the killing of his compatriot, Father Fausto Tentorio, last year. Fr Peter Geremia of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions alleged that those behind Fr Tentorio’s murder must have had "good connections" with the authorities to carry out the attack. Fr Tentorio was gunned down outside the Mother of Perpetual Help Church in North Cotabato province, on October 17, 2011. Fr Geremia urged the Department of Justice to investigate the presence of soldiers near the church around the time of Fr Tentorio's murder. "If [the soldiers'] mandate is to protect civilians, shouldn’t they explain why someone like Fr Fausto was eliminated under their noses?" Fr Geremia said. Colonel Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, denied Fr Tentorio was targeted by the military. He also criticized the hanging of banners outside a Catholic school alleging that Fr Tentorio’s murder was part of a government anti-insurgency operation. Fr Geremia, however, said the allegation was not without basis by again pointing out that soldiers were in the vicinity of the church when the killing took place.

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