Love triangle eyed in faith healer’s slay

CEBU, Philippines — The police are now eyeing love triangle as the motive behind the murder of a faith healer in Sitio Lacdon, Barangay Prenza, Balamban, Cebu early dawn Tuesday.

Police Major Christian Torres, Balamban Police Station chief, identified the victim as certain Dionesio Candia Otapil, 48, a resident of Barangay Vito of the town while his cousin, Vingie Otapil Candia, 26, sustained injuries from stray bullets.

Otapil died on the spot after he was shot several times by the still unidentified assailants at around 5:00 a.m. while riding a motorcycle driven by a cousin.

According to Torres, their initial investigation revealed that Otapil, a faith healer in his barangay, was involved with several women and some were also believed to have been married.

“Mahulog nga kanang iyang pagpanambal ba kanang usahay man naay mga faith healer nga kuan [involved] og mga babaye. Usa sa atong mga ginalantaw nga taud-taud na kuno na nagpatambal sa iyaha unya wa na mouli. Mahulog siya nga love triangle,” Torres told reporters yesterday.

Torres also said that they have found out that Otapil has believed to have many wives based on the information gathered.

The victims reportedly has three wives - one in Zamboanga, one in Cebu and one who is abroad.

Otapil’s present relationship is being focused as the motive of the crime as it is said to be the one that stood out during the investigation.

“Wala man siyay kaaway daw or involved og mga illegal,” said Torres.

Otapil and his cousin Candia were on their way to a usual morning visit to a cemetery and a church when the unknown assailants tailed them before shooting the victim. — GMR (FREEMAN)