Priest from Phillipines reveals atrocities

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 15, 11 September 1984, Page 3

Priest from Phillipines reveals atrocities

Father Guiguion was staying with the Akapita family in Ohakune for the weekend and was only too pleased to tell the congregation why he was in New Zealand. He had been attending a conference in Wellington involving seven of his countrymen and their New Zealand counterparts representing the trade union movement, women's affairs, church and human rights, the political movement for liberation, foreign relations and Father Guiguion's subject, the plight of tribal Filipinos. He sees the tribal problems facing his people as having parallels with the Maori people. "I have come to New Zealand to expose the fact that tribal lands in my country are now the object

of Government attention" he said. "The Government are using the land for dams, logging and mining, particularly gold and copper, and are not giving my people any form of monetary compensation"stated Father Guiguion. "Many of these projects are backed by big American companies which in many ways explains the American Government's support of President Marcos's regime". "One of the forest nurseries that has recently been planted to replace what has been taken, is financed with World Bank money" he added. In his sermon, Father Guiguion was able to reveal some startling atrocities that exist in his homeland aside from the plundering of tribal land. "There exists in the Philippines today a very oppressive situation; people who are imprisoned, sometimes unjustly, are often never heard from again." "All the media is controlled by the Government. Fortunately there exists many forms of alternative media which the Government tries to supress, but they can not find all of them" he said. "We are now preparing to form a coalition Government in my country in order to stamp out martial law which

President Marcos declared in 1972", he continued. "Hopefully my country will be able to return to freedom and democracy, something we all miss" he concluded. Whilst in Ohakune, Father Guiguion visited the Turoa Skifield and was able to touch snow for the first time. He also spoke to the Maori community locally who were appalled to hear of problems facing Filipinos today. Although the pattern of domination and exploitation is very similar, many of the Maoris considered themselves fortunate compared to Father Guiguion's people. He in turn is certain that his visit has helped to educate many New Zealanders and believes that the reception he and the other Philippinedelegates received at the Wellington conference was extremely favourab' j