Horror at the House of God: Woman’s Body Found in Cebu Parish
CEBU – What began as an ordinary Friday night Mass turned into a crime scene in Cebu after a woman was discovered dead inside a parish church.
Shock and grief filled the San Fernando El Rey Church in Liloan, Cebu, after the lifeless body of a woman was discovered inside the church on Friday night. According to Police Lt. Col. Dindo Alaras, chief of the Liloan Police Station, the victim has yet to be identified but is believed to be around 30 years old. Investigators found traces of blood from her nose, multiple wounds on the back of her head, and dark marks on her neck — signs that suggest possible foul play.
Based on the initial police investigation, the victim may have been involved in a physical altercation before she died. “May narinig ang candle vendor na may sumisigaw na babae sa loob ng simbahan,” Alaras said in his report.
Witnesses also told authorities that the woman entered the church with a man shortly after the evening Mass. Church staff reportedly asked the two to leave as cleaning was about to begin. Not long after, the woman was found unconscious inside the church premises.
She was immediately brought to the nearest hospital, but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Police have launched a full investigation into the incident, reviewing CCTV footage from the church to identify the suspect. A hot pursuit operation has also been initiated to locate the man last seen with the victim.
Following the tragic incident, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy announced the temporary closure of the parish church. “I, as the Archbishop of Cebu, decree the temporary closure of the Parish Church of San Fernando Rey, Liloan. All public acts of divine worship are to be suspended until proper canonical procedures are completed to ensure the reparation of the desecration and the restoration of the church’s dignity as a house of prayer and peace,” he said in a statement.
The parish community extended its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and denounced the violence committed within the sacred space. “We unite in prayer for the victim’s family as we condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence committed within the very house of God,” the parish said.
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