Police probe death of priest inside condo

CEBU, Philippines — Police are investigating the death of a 68-year-old priest inside a condominium in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, on Wednesday morning, November 12, to determine whether foul play was involved.

The victim was identified as Rev. Fr. Decoroso Jurban Olmilla, also known as “Father Cocoi,” a resident priest of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Olmilla was found unconscious inside a condo unit around 10:40 a.m., allegedly with a “self-inflicted wound” to his neck.

A report from the Mabolo Police Station said the priest was with a 25-year-old woman when he was discovered. The woman, who has reportedly been living with him for some time, called the building security guard for help before accompanying paramedics who rushed the victim to the hospital.

Police initially believed the priest may have taken his own life, citing stab wounds found on his neck. However, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of foul play.

Authorities are now holding two persons of interest believed to have knowledge of the incident and are reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the condominium to aid the investigation.

According to the woman’s statement to the police, Olmilla allegedly confided to her the night before the incident that he was in distress and wanted to end his life.

“Niingon ra siya nga nakaguba kuno siya’g pamilya. ‘I want to end my life,’” she reportedly told investigators.

Records show that Olmilla was previously arrested in December 2018 for physically assaulting a 15-year-old girl while serving as parish priest of the Nativity of Mary Parish in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

The priest was accused of hitting the girl, the daughter of their household helper, with an empty box and kicking her after she failed to feed his two pet dogs.

Although the victim’s mother chose not to file a complaint, city police, social workers, and barangay officials pursued the case. Olmilla was detained but was released hours later after posting an ?80,000 bail.

The following day, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma relieved Olmilla of his duties as parish priest pending the outcome of the investigation. — /FPL (FREEMAN)