Duterte shows matrix of slain priest’s suspected illicit affairs

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday presented a matrix of supposed illicit affairs of a slain priest.

The matrix titled "Possible Motive (Love Triangle)" has on it a picture of a priest named Fr. Mark Anthony with photos of eight women.

In his speech before residents of local officials of Tabongon, Cebu during the town's fiesta celebration, Duterte said the priest could have been killed because of his various illicit affairs with the women.

He said some of the women are married to a vice mayor, a policeman, a soldier, and a businessman.

"Nganong 'di ka man mamatay. May asawa bise mayor, may asawa pulis, may asawang sundalo, may asawa dakong negosyante. Eh 'di patay ka gyud," Duterte said.

"Mangabit kang asawa pulis, mangabit kang asawa vice mayor, patay ka gyud," he added.

He also said that one of the husbands of the eight women could have had something to do with the death of the priest.

Duterte did not provide names, but a closer look during the presentation of the matrix shows that the name under the photo of the priest was Fr. Mark Anthony. The priest's face was also not recognizable from the photo showed by the President during his speech.

The priest killed in the town of Gattaran in Cagayan province late April was Father Mark Anthony  Ventura, 37. He was killed by gunmen right after celebrating a Mass at the town's gymnasium.

Duterte also said during his speech that the New People's Army does not have anything to do with the unnamed priest's killing.

He also said that the government should not be blamed for the priest's death.

Duterte did not disclose where he got the matrix.

The Philippine National Police has formed a special investigation task group to focus on the investigation of Ventura's killing. —ALG/KG, GMA News