A shocking act of violence unfolded within a place of worship in Cagayan de Oro City, leading to the death of a church official and the arrest of a pastor.
Shooting at Church Compound
The incident occurred on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Seventh-day Adventist compound located in the city. According to police reports, Pastor Chosen Gem Abesta, a 37-year-old from Manticao, Misamis Oriental, allegedly gunned down the church's treasurer.
The victim was identified as Benjamin Mendez, a 65-year-old resident of Zone 8, Barangay Bulua in Cagayan de Oro. The shooting took place shortly before 9 a.m., with investigators confirming that Mendez sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the body from a .45-caliber pistol, which caused his immediate death.
Suspect Surrenders After Fleeing
Authorities stated that Pastor Abesta fled the scene immediately after the shooting. However, he later turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Mindanao (CIDG-Northern Mindanao) headquarters in the same city.
Capt. Emelita Simon, the spokesperson for the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), confirmed the suspect's surrender. The police have indicated that the motive for the shooting appears to be rooted in internal church issues. This conclusion was drawn after Abesta had previously expressed concerns about his service benefits in an online video.
Church Community in Mourning
The Seventh-day Adventist North-Central Mindanao Conference (NCMC) released an official statement addressing the tragic event. The church leadership expressed profound sorrow and condemned the violence.
"We denounce all forms of violence and reaffirm our belief in the sanctity of life as a gift from God. This heartbreaking event has caused great pain to our church community," the SDA NCMC stated. The event has sent ripples of grief and disbelief through the local congregation, which is now grappling with the aftermath of the violence that occurred on its sacred grounds.
Pastor Chosen Gem Abesta is now under police custody as the investigation into the precise circumstances of the shooting continues.
