Pastor surrenders over death of Mindoro nursing student

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A 26-year-old pastor surrendered on Sunday, following police monitoring operations over the killing of a 20-year-old nursing student in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro last week.

It was not clear if the pastor is a suspect or a person of interest, but police said he turned himself in to Col. Gerry Laylo, Regional Intelligence Division chief for Mimaropa.

Col. Efraim Camara, Oriental Mindoro police director, said a special investigation task group was formed to look into the death of third year nursing student Maru Gabayno.

Her body, which bore stab wounds, was found along a road without lights in Barangay Sapul on Saturday.

Although investigators believe she was raped, they are still waiting for the forensic examination results.

Bongabong Mayor Mike Malaluan has offered a P100,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for the killing.

Malaluan said Gabayno was a resident of the town’s Barangay Labonan.

Investigators are also reviewing the closed-circuit television footage from the area, aside from pursuing leads to establish the circumstances of the killing.

Authorities have urged anyone with information that could help solve the case to coordinate with the police.