A 65-year-old man was shot dead inside a church compound in Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Police said the victim, the treasurer of the church, sustained four gunshot wounds – two to the chest and one to each leg.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered eight empty bullet shells from the crime scene.

During a hot pursuit operation, authorities received information that the suspect who was also a member of the same church had turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Mindanao (CIDG-10).

CIDG-10 coordinated with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) for the turnover and custody of the suspect.

Police said the suspect reportedly owned up to the crime.

Based on his statement to the police, the suspect reportedly brought a gun to what was supposedly just a confrontation because he reportedly received a threat.

“Unta confrontation lang apan tungod lagi kay naa na sab sa iyang huna-huna nga nakadawat napud siya og, para niya base sa iyang statement nga gipahibaw nato, nga naa pud syay bahad pud mao to naka-desisyon siya nga magdala gyud og armas,” COCPO Spokesperson, Capt. Emilita Simon, said.

Authorities are investigating the firearm used by the suspect after learning that it was unlicensed.

“Naa siyay armas kay tungod nipalit siya sa iyang ingon tungod sa kani nga panagbingkil nakadesisyon siya nga mupalit og armas,” Simon added.

Police are looking into several possible motives, including a dispute between the two over the victim’s allegation that the suspect was involved in financial anomalies while he was still working at the church, among others.

Church president Pastor Elvin Salarda said the conflict between the two began in January 2025.

The conflict reportedly escalated into the filing of charges, which they did not expect would lead to the suspect killing the victim.

“Naa mi mga inisyal nga gihimo nga aksyon nga ang guard nga ginabawalan na siya… I think the guard can tell sa among gihimong actions… dili man gud kayo ta maghuna-huna nga himuon niya ang maong akto,” Salarda said.

The suspect will face murder charges.