BURABOD (UCAN): Sister Maria Gemma Onipa, of the Lady of Peace congregation, was shot by an unknown gunman in the village of Burabod, Kawayan town in Biliran province, the central Philippines on May 26. The 75-year-old nun was seriously wounded.
“The local police have yet to identify the suspect and the motive of the crime,” a police representative said on May 28, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Sister Onipa survived the attack thanks to quick treatment including surgery in an undisclosed hospital, the official said, adding that she is now “safe” and recuperating well.
“The police investigator has already visited the hospital to talk with the victim, but the latter is not yet available for interview as she was still at the intensive care unit, following the surgery,” he added.
The Eastern Visayas Police headquarters in Palo, Leyte province, which covers the central Philippines, confirmed that the suspect was identified as a male wearing a yellow jacket.
The shooting was reportedly witnessed by the victim’s 72-year-old fellow nun identified only as Sister Ina.
“The victim and witness were inside their house watching a Mass on TV when the suspect called out for the sisters outside the house. The witness checked at the main door and saw an unidentified man looking for the victim,” the source said.
When Sister Onipa opened the door, the attacker immediately fired shots at her.
The Biliran Provincial Forensic Unit processed the crime scene and recovered one bullet and two spent shells of a firearm of unknown calibre.
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The Diocese of Naval, which covers the area, had not yet issued a statement about the shooting at the time of the filing of the report on May 29.
The shooting and killing of priests and religious personnel is not new in the Philippines. On 24 January 2021, Father Rene Bayang Regalado was shot to death by a group of gunmen along a road near the Malaybalay Carmel Monastery in Malaybalay, Mindanao.
On May 28 that year, an 80-year-old former priest and peace negotiator, Rustico Tan, was shot dead while asleep on a hammock in his home on the remote island of Pilar, Camotes in Cebu.
Justice for the two killings has not been delivered yet.
The Philippines ranks high among nations where impunity is rampant, rights monitors say.
