Loboc parish priest, Fr. Marcelino Biliran did not commit suicide.

This finding was based on the autopsy conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Wednesday morning at the St. Peter Funeral Home this city.

Dr. Rene Cam, medico legal officer of NBI Region-7 offices arrived from Cebu City to conduct the autopsy few hours before the burial of Fr. Biliran. His remains were laid to final rest at the Necroplis inside the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (IHMS). Prior the burial, a requiem mass was officiated at the St. Joseph Cathedral.

A statement issued by Fr. Val Pinlac, spokesman of the Diocese of Tagbilaran said the NBI autopsy showed findings which “was not consistent to a suicide.”

During the same interview, Fr. Pinlac said the NBI autopsy also revealed that there was no “self-inflicted wound” seen in the body of the 56-year old priest.  Other details of the autopsy conducted by the NBI were given to the bereaved family who requested for the autopsy to be conducted.

The Diocese of Tagbilaran met with the members of the Biliran family after the burial.

On the part of the NBI, lawyer Arcelito Albao, executive officer of NBI- Bohol  said that with the findings of the autopsy, NBI authorities will dig deeper on the circumstances behind the death. Right after the discovery of the dead body inside the comfort room last June 27, local police authorities in Loboc made a pronouncement that it was a suicide seeing an extension  wire tied on the priest’s neck attached to an iron rod.

The bereaved family sought the help of the NBI to conduct a thorough autopsy on the body.

Leah Sumampong, niece of Fr. Biliran said they will seek justice on the death of the priest thus they are requesting the NBI to proceed with  a full dress investigation.  Sumampong said they could not believe that her priest uncle committed suicide.  His body was found dead inside the comfort room at the convent of the St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Loboc town last June 27.

Other kin of the deceased priest quoted, “We cannot believe anyone could hate Father Mar so much and then make it appear as suicide. We wish the authorities can find the culprit(s) soon for the safety of priests and all Boholanos.”

Fr. Biliran was the parish priest of St. Peter the Apostle parish in Loboc town.