‘Philippines becoming dangerous for foreign missionaries’

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Willem Geertman

Willem GeertmanIN the aftermath of the death of a Dutch community worker in Angeles City, a Philippines newspaper said that country was becoming dangerous for foreign missionaries.

The Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa, Auckland Philippines Solidarity, and Wellington Kiwi Pinoy said they are outraged by the recent murder of Dutch Willem Geertman, a 67-year-old community worker.

“Now with two killings of European nationals under Aquino, the government’s failure to stop impunity is turning the Philippines into one of the most dangerous places for foreign missionaries,” the groups said, referring also to the killing of 59-year old Italian missionary Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio in Mindanao more than a year ago.

The Philippine Star reported PSNA secretary Murray Horton as saying the President Benigno Aquino III’s administration has failed to protect and secure foreigners who serve the indigents in the Philippines.

“It’s not fun when foreign nationals serving amongst poor and deprived sectors in the Philippines are also targeted by armed forces that operate in defense of the interests of government, mining, big business and landlords instead of the protection of the rights of the poor,” Horton said.

APS spokesperson Cameron Walker said their group will lead a protest action this weekend in one of the landmarks in Auckland, New Zealand to call for justice and end to impunity in the Philippines.

“He is the 95th victim of extra-judicial killing under Aquino,” Karapatan spokesperson Cristina Palabay is quoted as saying in the report.

Geertman was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men in front of his office in inside L&S subdivision in Angeles City.

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