Ilocos Times - Online

November 12, 2006
THE ILOCOS TIMES - NEWS

Ilocos church leader survives ambush try

A CHURCH minister of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) survived an ambush attempt by still unidentified gunmen on November 9 at around 9 pm in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

A spokesperson of Bayan-Ilocos said Rev. Billy Austin, a UCCP conference minister posted in Solsona, Ilocos Norte, was with two other companions, who were also both members of the UCCP, and they were on their way from a seminar held in Ilocos Sur when the assailants aimed their gun at them and fired five times. The assailants later escaped in the dark.

Based on a police report, Austin was hit by at least two gunshots on his legs. He was rushed by his companion to a medical facility in Vigan City.

As of press time, the Philippine National Police (PNP) are still investigating possible angles of the ambush.

Earlier, Austin reported to the PNP that he spotted a van tailing him. He said he could have identified he vehicle but its plate number in the front is different from the plate it had in the back.

With this development, local church leaders have decried the alleged surveillance operation being carried out against them by men in uniform, whom they claim were disguised as civilians to spy on their church activities and community projects.

It may be recalled that UCCP, which has at least 1.6 million members in the country, has earlier been accused as a front of communist rebels, making use of the church to indoctrinate the minds of their believers to rebel against the government.

Leilanie G. Adriano

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