Philippines: Catholic bishops express shock over killing of independent church pastor
Catholic bishops have expressed their shock at the killing of an Iglesia Filipina Independiente pastor with whom they worked together closely for peace and development. Butuan's Catholic Auxiliary Bishop Zacharias Jimenez said he was saddened over the death of Pastor Dionisio Gingging Estrada, 53, of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente of Tago, Surigao del Sur, on Oct 8. Surigao del Sur Roman Catholic Bishop Nerio Odchimar also expressed his deep shock. Tago, Surigao del Sur is more than 200 kilometres by very rough road southwest from this regional centre of Caraga Region, Butuan City, south of Manila. Estrada, who campaigned against illegal drugs and gambling, died instantly after after he was shot and stabbed by three suspects in a horrific attack. A police investigation is underway.