Slain Samar priest's kin seek help of NBI, CHR

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The family of a slain Northern Samar parish priest has sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Human Rights to also look into the killing.

Former Northern Samar congressman Wilmar Lucero told The STAR that their family though is giving local authorities “all the time” to investigate the killing of his brother, Fr. Cecilio Lucero, last Sept. 6 in Barangay Layuhan, San Jose town.

He, however, disclosed that their family is also conducting its own probe, giving assurance though that they would cooperate in the police investigation.

Fr. Lucero, 48, a known human rights advocate in Northern Samar, was gunned down by at least five men while on board his Toyota van. His companions, Isidro Miras and Jose Isidro Laguda, were wounded in the attack.

Fr. Lucero was a parish priest in Catubig town and director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Catarman. He is the younger brother of Northern Samar Vice Gov. Antonio Lucero.

Chief Superintendent Mario Sandiego, Eastern Visayas police director, yesterday reiterated his directive to his men to fast-track the investigation into the priest’s killing.

Sandiego also ordered that PO2 Eugene Bation, Lucero’s police escort during the incident, be included in the investigation.

Catarman Bishop Emmanuel Trance said he hopes that the police would arrest Lucero’s killers as soon as possible.