MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / July 4, 2012) – More than a year after the killing of 59-year old Italian missionary Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio in Mindanao, the Philippine solidarity groups in New Zealand are shocked and outraged over the news that Willem Geertman, a 67-year old Dutch community worker had been shot by two motorcycle riding men believed to be military agents in his office in Angeles City in Luzon Island.
“The Philippines became notoriously known for being one of the most dangerous places for journalists and activists with the hundreds of extra-judicial killings under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo watch. 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 Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa, Auckland Philippines Solidarity, and Wellington Kiwi Pinoy said in a solidarity statement.
It’s Not Fun in the Philippines
“While the Aquino government promotes that ‘It’s More Fun 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,” said Murray Horton, Secretary of PSNA, in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
Like Fr. Pops, who spent 33 years launching literacy and health programs for indigenous peoples and peasants, Geertman left the comforts of life in Holland and chose to offer more than four decades of his life working with indigenous peoples and peasants in Central Luzon.
“This coming weekend, Auckland Philippines Solidarity will lead a protest action in one of the landmarks in Auckland, New Zealand to echo the calls for justice and end to impunity in the Philippines,” Cameron Walker, APS spokesperson said.
“We are aware that President Benigno Aquino has been invited to come visit New Zealand. Unless he renders justice and stop impunity in the Philippines, he should not expect a warm welcome from New Zealanders when he arrives here,” Rod Prosser, WKP Convener, said.
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