In a tragic end, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) shot his wife before shooting himself outside the San Roque Parish in Barangay Poblacion, Catarman town in Camiguin province last Sunday. Police investigators mentioned jealousy as the primary motive for the shooting.
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The victim was 35-year-old Ivy Linao, a municipal employee in Catarman. She was killed by her estranged husband, 37-year-old Celmar Linao, who committed suicide right after he shot her.
Image Credit: Philippine News Agency website (Photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)
Man Shoots Wife Outside Church in Catarman, Camiguin
According to Police Officer 2 Ritchie Babia, Celmar and Ivy separated a few months ago, when she found out, allegedly, that he was in another relationship, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Meanwhile, SPO1 Rosemarie Bana of the Catarman Police Women & Children Protection Desk stated that Ivy went to her office last December, seeking advice on her marital situation. Allegedly, Celmar threatened his wife out of jealousy, but she did not file any complaint at the police station. Instead, she was advised to file legal action through the Lupong Tagapamayapa.
On Sunday, Celmar pointed a .45-caliber pistol at his wife during Holy Mass. The visiting priest officiating the mass, Fr. Rolly Aniscal, said that he saw the man pointing the firearm at his wife. “He attempted to shoot her but the gun did not fire,” he stated. “She went outside and it was where we heard two gunshots. When the shots were fired we ducked for cover.”
Other witness concurred that the man tried to shoot his wife inside the church, but his pistol failed to discharge. They also said that she tried to flee towards the side entrance of the church, but was hampered as one of her kids was with her. The couple had seven kids.
Police reported that when her husband fired the pistol, Ivy tried to shield her face with her left arm — but the bullet penetrated her skull, causing death. After shooting her, Celmar pointed the pistol at his head and fired. A medical report from Catarman District Hospital confirmed that both of them died due to gunshot wounds in the head.
A Tragic Incident
When the shooting started, Fr. Aniscal said that the Holy Mass was temporarily stopped, as both he and the parishioners were shocked by the incident. He resumed the mass 20 minutes later, and told the parishioners to pray for the dead couple.
“I told the people to be silent for a minute and offer a prayer for them, then I continued saying the mass,” the priest shared.
Meanwhile, a parishioner who witnessed the incident called it “tragic.” “It was the first time that such incident happened here in our town,” the parishioner said. “Catarman is a peaceful place and we couldn’t believe that this happened.”
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We may never know the whole story behind Ivy and Celmar’s relationship, but this incident is truly tragic, indeed. May their souls rest in peace, and let us hope that such incidents don’t happen to other couples and their families.