Illicit affairs eyed in Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura’s murder

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines — Following President Duterte’s pronouncements that slain Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura could have been involved in illicit affairs, investigators are now focusing their probe on the priest’s past personal issues.

Investigators will look into the private affairs of Ventura, who was shot dead after saying mass at a basketball court in Gattaran town on April 29, Senior Superintendent Warren Tolito, Cagayan police director, said.

In a speech in Tabogon, Cebu over the weekend, Duterte said the priest could have been killed because of his illicit affairs with the wives of a politician, a police officer, a military man and a businessman.

“The strongest motive we have so far are his personal issues, like the ones mentioned by President Duterte,” Tolito said.

Earlier, he said Ventura’s two drivers could shed light on the case.

Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg said Ventura’s stance against black sand mining was not too serious to warrant retribution. 

Authorities have yet to divulge the contents of Ventura’s cell phone.

The priest’s text messages before he was killed could provide leads to the probe, regional police director Chief Superintendent Mario Espino said.

Ventura’s family and the police offered a P300,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the killers.