Priest linked to woman's slay relieved from post

The priest linked to the killing of woman whose body was found dumped on a roadside in Camarines Sur has been removed from his post pending an investigation on the case.

Jeraldyn Rapinan, 28,  a single mother, was found dead —her hands and legs tied and head covered —along  Maharlika Highway in Barangay Del Pilar of San Fernando town.

According to a report on "News TV Live" on Saturday, the Archdiocese of Caceres said Fr. Paul Tirao has been removed as parish priest of the St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Iriga City in line with the ongoing investigation into Rapinan's death.

This was confirmed by the parish's pastoral council.

Tirao was tagged in the killing of Rapinan, after her family claimed she last told them she needed to go to meet the priest to ask for money, claiming that the priest is the father of the baby she was pregnant with. 

"Itong anak ko nagpaalam siya na aalis muna. Hindi naman daw siya magtatagal, mga 15 minutes lang. Pupunta raw siya kay Father. Baka raw kasi magbigay na sa kaniya ng pera na pampabinyag sa bata," her father was quoted as saying in an earlier report. 

"Umiiyak anak ko, kinausap ako. Sabi niya 'Pa, patawarin mo ako.' 'Bakit?' Pagtatanong ko. 'Buntis ako.' 'Kanino 'yan?' Muli kong tanong. 'Kay father,' sabi niya," sabi pa ng ama ng biktima," she added.

Camarines Sur police have formed a task force to investigate the case.

Tirao has yet to issue a statement on the allegations against him. —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA News