PNP releases facial composite of suspect in killing of Fr. Mark Ventura

The Philippine National Police in Region 2 released on Wednesday a computerized facial composite of the suspect in the killing of Fr. Mark Ventura in Cagayan.

Ventura was gunned down by a helmet-wearing gunman in Gattaran, Cagayan on Sunday, April 29.

Aside from the P200,000 reward money offered by the victim's family, Region 2 Police Director, Chief Superintendent Mario Espino, announced an additional P100,000 reward for anybody who can provide accurate information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect and his cohort.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Sunday condemned the killing of Fr. Ventura, a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, after officiating a Mass in Gattaran, Cagayan. It said the killing was an "evil act."

A task force formed to investigate the murder of a young priest in Cagayan has ruled out initial assessments that the New People's Army could be behind the murder.

A police report released on Wednesday revealed the possibility that hired killers were responsible for Fr. Ventura's death.

Police added that Ventura's anti-mining advocacies which could also be a motive for his killing has also been eliminated since black sand mining in Cagayan has been stopped four years ago and people involved no longer has the capability and reason to pursue him. —KG, GMA News