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Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said in a television interview that a murdered corruption whistleblower had revealed to him the names of Filipino government officials that he planned to expose.
Wilfredo Mayor, 54, was shot and killed by four men on two motorcycles while driving home on Feb. 28, his nephew told police, UCA News reports. His son-in-law was wounded.
Police say Mayor suffered multiple wounds to the head and body and was dead on arrival at hospital.
The man was one of five witnesses who Archbishop Cruz and his national crusade against the jueteng illegal numbers game had presented at a 2005 senate hearing.
Mayor told senate committee members he operated jueteng in Albay province and claimed members of President Gloria Arroyo’s family and administration received pay-offs.
He later recanted his testimony, reportedly due to threats on his life. He returned to his home in Daraga, Albay, and resumed his construction business.
Archbishop Cruz told television reporters that Mayor had visited him last Tuesday and given him the names of people involved in public work contracts in Albay province southeast of Manila.
The archbishop reportedly said he would identify two “big and influential persons” that could be behind the death of Mayor.
Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias told UCA News he is worried about his confrere’s well being.
Mayor stayed with Bishop Tobias during the senate hearings, but the bishop told UCA News that he had not seen him since.
Another whistleblower, Rodolfo Lozada, fears for his life but says he will continue to speak out on alleged padding of costs in a national broadband deal to cover kickbacks for Arroyo administration officials and relatives.
He said, “If they can kill Mayor who had security guards, then they can always reach me.” He said he will have to “put my fate and life in the hands of the Lord.” The opposite of fear is not courage but faith, he said.
SOURCE
Witness’ death worries Church’s protectors (UCA News)
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