Missionary shot dead in Philippines
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Irish missionary was shot dead on Tuesday by four gunmen who had tried to abduct him in a remote town in the southern Philippines, police said.
The Reverend Rufus Halley, a member of the Columban order, had been riding his motorcycle to his home at Our Lady Peace parish church in the town of Malabang in the province of Lanao del Sur. Just before dusk, four men in ski-masks flagged him down in the remote village of Diamaro.
A police spokesman, Senior Superintendent Akmad Omar, said Mr Halley had been seen talking to the men, who carried M-16 assault rifles, before they tried to drag him away. When he had resisted, the gunmen shot him in the head and fled.
Sen Supt Omar described it as a "foiled kidnapping" but said police did not know which group was responsible.Police and marines had been deployed to pursue the killers. Two other Irish missionaries had been kidnapped in the region four years ago by former Muslim separatist rebels, he said.
Mr Halley, who had been serving in the Malabang parish for 20 years, was fluent in several local dialects, Sen Supt Omar said. "This priest is well-loved by the people of Malabang because all by himself he can easily mingle with Muslims and non-Muslims in the locality." Mr Halley had been involved in promoting Muslim-Christian dialogue in Malabang and nearby Balabagan.
He had caused controversy last year when he refused to hold masses inside military camps during the offensive against the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The MILF reopened talks with the Philippine government and last month reaffirmed a 1997 ceasefire.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments