Air gun fired to scare teener Priest hits student with 'warning shot'

CEBU, Philippines - A priest is now detained after shooting a 19-year-old student, who was playing hooky at noontime yesterday in Danao City.

   The 60-year-old priest, who wanted to scare off the boy, fired his air gun and hit the student, who was caught climbing a mango tree inside the church compound.

The 60-year-old priest was identified as Fr. Jonathan Durano Lao. He is the parish priest of Colegio de San Antonio de Padua.

The victim was identified as Mark Robert Cecilio Ymbong, who hails from Cordova, Cebu, but temporarily residing in barangay Guinsay, Danao City.

From the investigation conducted by the Danao City Police, it was learned that at around 12:35 p.m., Ymbong was caught by the priest while on a branch of the mango tree.

The priest, who was carrying an air gun, scolded Ymbong, a second year BS Criminology student of the Colegio de San Antonio de Padua,

Chief Insp. Eddie Recamara, chief of the Danao City police told The FREEMAN in a phone interview that the victim was allegedly caught stealing fruits from the said tree.

After scolding Ymbong, the priest allegedly fired a warning shot to scare the student, but hit him instead.

Lao said that he did not intend to hit Ymbong as his intention was only to scare the latter so he would climb down the tree.

Recamara said that they will check if the priest has a license to own and carry the air gun.

It was learned that the family of Ymbong had already talked with the priest and agreed that Fr. Lao will shoulder the expenses for the treatment.

Ymbong was hit on his left breast and was rushed to the Danao City District Hospital. He is, however, in no danger.

Fr. Lao is temporarily held at the Danao City Police Station and will be facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to frustrated homicide, said Recamora.

The priest could also face additional charges of illegal possession of firearms if he cannot present a license for the air gun. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)