A typical Jeepney like one in which the murdered pastor was traveling. Photo via assistnews.net

71 Year Old Pastor Shot To Death in the Philippines

A 71-year old pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance was shot dead on Monday, December 19th, 2011, a few blocks away from a private hospital in this island region, while on board a public Jeepney, the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines, reports Noel Tarrazona, Special to ASSIST News Service.

A police investigation identified the victim as Pastor Melencio Magdayao of the province who was seated on the front seat and was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen on board a motorcycle.

Police Station 6 chief Albert Larubis said Pastor Magdayao sustained two bullet wounds in the head and died on the spot.

A police investigator has recovered two empty 45 caliber capsules from the crime scene.

The duo of assailants immediately fled from the crime scene that occured in the middle of vehicular traffic congestion.

The province is known for Christian pastors becoming victims of persecution. Just early this year, a lady pastor of a local Pentecostal church was hacked to death by suspected Moslem rebels in front of her daughter.

Christian community leaders have asked their Christian brethren around the world to pray for the evangelistic work in this restive region. There are three active Moslem rebel groups fighting for a possible separate Islamic state in the predominantly Christian Southern Philippines. They are the Moro National Liberation Front, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf.

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TAGS: Pastor Melencio Magdayao Christian and Missionary Alliance Philippines death

[12/26/2011]

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