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CRUELTY, CORRUPTION AND BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS...

the STORY OF FATHER BRIAN GORE AND NEGROS ISLAND.

This is a story injustice in the Philippines during the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos.

As the Marcos administration began to crumble, three priests, including Australian Father Brian Gore, were arrested in 1983 on trumped up charges. Their real ‘crime’ was to speak out and organise poverty stricken rural farmers and workers about the blatant violations of human rights and military atrocities occurring on the southern sugar producing island of Negros.

Negros island was out of control. The priests urged the people to stand up against wealthy plantation owners, influential politicians and local military officers who acted like warlords. The result was that the priests and six Filipino church layworkers were charged with multiple murder.

Justice in the Philippines, published by ABC Books in 1985, features Bob Wurth’s personal experiences as a foreign correspondent alongside the earthy and strong-willed Australian priest and his compatriots during their fight for freedom and justice.       
Justice in the Phillipines
TIME TO TAKE A STAND AGAINST OPPRESSION

Father Brian Gore would preach about community and communion and look at the planters on one side of the congregation and the oppressed workers on the other. The land owners just wanted their priest to bless their cars and houses and conduct the baptisms and weddings. But Gore's work sickened him.

murder and mayhem on a tropical island

The military on Negros island were were carrying on a reign of terror and persecution of the people, according to Australian Father Brian Gore who was charged with the murder of the local mayor and four others after they began organising the oppressed workers.

the case that embarrassed a president

After a drawn out case of mass murder against the Negros Nine, Judge Emilio Legaspi in the Bacolod courtroom on Negros island agreed that charges should be dropped. The case had become an acute embarrassment for President Ferdinand Marcos, who openly said the issue of freeing the priests and layworkers should be canvassed.