Two pastors were arrested as suspects in the shooting of a Mr. Cagayan de Oro pageant contestant, according to the report of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao.
Pastors Dimver Andales and junior pastor Jether Nonot were reportedly apprehended by Agora police in Barangay Lapasan in Cagayan de Oro City under a warrant arrest on murder charges.
The case pertains to the murder of Mr. Cagayan de Oro 2023 candidate Adrian Fornillos last May which Andales has previously denied rumors alleging his involvement with the victim and his girlfriend Jone Leanel Orog.
After the incident, compilations of conversations allegedly retrieved from Adrian’s phone circulated on social media, speculating the victim’s girlfriend may have been in a romantic relationship with Andales.
Andales’ legal team has then firmly denied all allegations and expressed their readiness to address the charges, stating the pastor is innocent.
Last September, a subpoena was reportedly presented to Andales where he was given 10 days to respond to the allegations of his involvement with Fornillos’ case.
“Base ito sa ebidensiya na ating nakalap. At the same time sa case process build-up napatunayan talaga natin kaya ‘yan ang mga pangalan na lumabas,” Nazareth Police Chief Police Captain Byron-John Ratunil said.
Atty. Robert Maestre, Andales’ legal representative, noted that the case has had adverse repercussions on his client’s role as a pastor and on his family.
The other suspect, Nonot, has not made any public statement regarding the matter.
While the victim’s family members were reportedly present at the police station, they chose not to provide any statements.
