Butuan City pastor fears for his life

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – A pastor who is a member of Butuan Alang sa Reporma ug Maayong Pang-Gobyerno (Butuan for Reforms and Good Governance) has sought police assistance as he suspects that armed men have been following him since the launch of the citizens’ movement.

“I now fear for my life and my family,” Pastor Emingardo Burgonios, vice president of the Butuan Evangelical Ministers Association, told The STAR.

The local citizens’ movement has called for an inquiry into an alleged anomaly in the sale of 80 “unserviceable” equipment and vehicles by the city government.

Burgonios and Kevin Furia, spokesman of the Estudyante ug Katawhan Alang sa Tinuod Nga Reporma ug Pagbag-o sa Dakbayan (Student and People for Genuine Reforms and Change for Butuan City) said they are urging for an “impartial” probe of the alleged anomaly to clear the names of those not involved and prosecute those who have committed abuse of authority and grave misconduct.