Bayan-Ilocos leader out of danger but unidentified men continue to hunt him
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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Nov. 17) — The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Ilocos leader who survived an assassin’s attack remains threatened despite his doctors’ pronouncement that he is out of danger.
Colleagues of Bayan-Ilocos Chair Rev. Billy Austin fear for his safety as unidentified men continue to hunt him.
Austin could have been the 17th victim of political killing from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) had he not survived a murder plot last November 9 in Vigan City, Bishop Mar Inong of the North Luzon Jurisdiction said. Karapatan data show that out of the 780 victims of political killings, 25 are church workers 16 of which are from the UCCP.
Austin said he felt well despite gunshot wounds on both legs, but threats to his life make his blood pressure rise, making doctors worried. He was initially treated at the Lahoz Hospital in Vigan City but a few days later, he transferred to the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) in La Trinidad where he stayed for a few more days.
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) disclosed that two “suspicious” men who refused to identify themselves have been asking for his BeGH room . He added that even when he was at the Lahoz Clinic unidentified men tried to enter his hospital room.
According to CHRA Vice-chair Beverly Longid, Austin’s experience was similar to that of other victims of political killings like Albert Terradaño, a human rights advocate killed in November 2005 in Bangued, Abra. She said that before Terredaño died at the hospital, he identified a man who visited him as the trigger man.
“It is as if the gunmen make sure their targets are killed that they follow victims to the hospital a to finish the job if the target survives the first blow,” Longid said.
Longid further said Austin’s case is part of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime’s war against the left. She said Austin’s case should not be seen as an isolated incident because it is clearly part of the government’s Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL).
She added that the police should not quickly point to the victim’s colleagues as suspects without thorough and impartial investigation.
Meanwhile, the UCCP community is enraged by the continuing harassment and attack on church workers.
“Why are pastors who are vocal critics of the government being harassed and killed? The Church is already angry because pastors are being killed senselessly, especially those who are serving the poor and oppressed,” Inong said.
UCCP Bishop Eliezer Pascua thinks Austin survived the attack because the Lord has plans for him. He added that the Lord allowed Austin to live for him to testify and shed light about the killings.
Pascua demanded the government to protect victims like Austin. He condemned police and military pronouncements that Austin’s attacker could be a member of the UCCP or his colleagues.
Rod Tajon of the Ilocos human Rights Advocates (IHRA) reiterated that prior to the November 9 incident, Austin has been subjected to heavy surveillance. He added that even Ilocos local officials who are openly supporting Bayan Muna and Anakpawis party lists have been receiving death threats.
Austin said the November 9 incident was already the “culmination of a plot”. He said his case proves that there is really a three-month target research for political killings as contained in the military OBL. He disclosed that surveillance and harassment on him began on July 9.
“I am not doing anything wrong that is why I continued to do what my faith mandates me, to serve God’s people,” he said.
Austin implored the Arroyo government to stop repression and end the killings.
The Vigan and Benguet police assigned officers to secure Austin. The police still do not have suspects but said investigations are still underway. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS
