Not even the presence of a priest and collection of statues of saints, could prevent a former migrant worker in shooting dead his wife outside a church in Catarman, Camiguin on Sunday morning.

Police investigators are looking at extreme hatred and jealousy as the possible motives that prompted the suspect Celmar Liano, 37, to kill his wife, Ivy, 35, teacher, outside the San Roque Parish in Barangay Poblacion of the said town.

The suspect later committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after making sure that his wife was already dead.

Ivy was hit by a lone bullet that went through her left arm as she tried to shield her face but it penetrated her skull causing her death.

Witnesses said Celmar initially tried to shoot the victim while hearing a Mass inside the church but the firearm failed to discharge.

After seeing that her husband’s gun was pointed at her, Ivy dashed outside with one of her children, but the suspect ran after her before shooting her at the side entrance of the church.

Police Officer 2 Ritchie Babia said the couple separated a few months ago after the woman allegedly discovered her husband was into another relationship.

Ivy was hit by a lone bullet that went through her left arm as she tried to shield her face but it penetrated her skull causing her death.

After shooting his wife, Celmar then pointed the gun at his head and fired a single shot.

SPO1 Rosemarie Bana, Catarman police Women and Children’s Protection Desk officer, said the wife went to her office sometime last December to ask for advice on their marital situation.