MANILA - The killing of another priest in Nueva Ecija was an isolated case, police said Monday, amid questions of its possible connection to 2 other slays of Catholic priests in the past 6 months.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the killing of Fr. Richmond Nilo of the Diocese of Cabanatuan was not even a basis for saying the Philippines is one of the least peaceful countries in the region.

"Hindi naman araw-araw may namamatay na pari, at hindi naman siguro puwedeng maging gauge 'yan na anybody would say na tayo ang least peaceful na bansa," Albayalde told reporters, as he vowed to pursue the case until justice is served.

• Pari, patay sa pamamaril sa Nueva Ecija

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Fr. Nilo was about to begin a Mass in a church in Zaragoza Sunday night, when unidentified gunmen shot him dead. He is the second priest who was killed in Nueva Ecija within a year.

Last December 2017, Fr. Marcelito Paez was also gunned down by unidentified assailants after assisting the release of a political prisoner in the town of Jaen, Nueva Ecija.

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Another Catholic priest, in Gattaran town in Cagayan, Fr. Mark Anthony Ventura, was also shot dead by an unidentified gunman after celebrating a Mass.

The slain priest was known for his advocacy against mining and aiding indigenous peoples.

• Pari patay nang barilin pagkatapos ng misa sa Gattaran, Cagayan

Meanwhile, Fr. Rey Urmenta, a former PNP chaplain, survived an ambush in Calamba, Laguna just last week.

Investigation on these cases are still ongoing.

-- With reports from Henry Atuelan and Marielle Catbagan, ABS-CBN News

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