An active lay minister of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) in the Diocese of Negros Oriental and Siquijor was shot dead in broad daylight last May 4, 2021, by unknown motorcycle-riding assailants in Poblacion, Plaridel, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Briccio Nuevo Jr., 71, was sitting at a motor shop when assailants wearing bonnets approached and shot at him.
Suffering critical gunshot wounds, including to the head, Nuevo was rushed to the district hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Known as “Tatay Sagor” by many IFI members, especially in Guihulngan City, Nuevo was previously red-tagged. Group KAGUBAK or Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Komunista (Concerned Guihulnganons against Communists) included him in a list of alleged sympathizers of the New People’s Army.
The same list carried the names of lawyer Anthony Trinidad and doctor Mary Rose Sancelan, slain in separate extrajudicial killings. IFI priest Msgr. Roberto Caday, who died of illness years ago, was also on the list with Roman Catholic priest Rev. Allan Archebuche.
According to DINOS bishop Right Rev. Allan Caparro, Nuevo hid fearing for his life after Sancelan and her husband were assasinated in December last year.
Sagor served the IFI congregation in Guihulngan City for years as a lay minister.
Report by Klein Emperado/Photo from YIFI Dinos Guihulngan