Suspect in Fr. Richmond Nilo slay released —PNP

The suspect in the killing of Nueva Ecija priest Fr. Richmond Nilo has been released, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana said Friday.

Adell Roll Milan was released at around 11 a.m. after Presiding Judge Angelo Perez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 of Cabanatuan City ordered the withdrawal of criminal case against him.

Durana said they cannot divulge any information regarding the developments on the case of Fr. Nilo as it may compromise the ongoing investigation.

“We need to emphasize that this case is not yet closed and I am sure we have encouraging developments that we cannot divulge the details of these developments because it may compromise ongoing investigation,” he said.

Despite this, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, according to Durana, remains “very confident” that the investigators are on the right track.

“He was and still very consistent that this case is not yet closed. We are confident that we will be serving the ends of justice and we are continuously pursuing some positive developments,” he said

Milan’s legal counsel, Larry Gadon, earlier told a press briefing in Manila that the prosecution has filed a motion to withdraw information, citing mistaken identity as reason.

Nilo was shot dead by motorcyle-riding suspects while he was about to officiate a 6 p.m. mass in a chapel in Barangay Mayamot in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, last June 10.

Nilo was the third priest to be killed since December last year. —KBK, GMA News