Slain Samar priest a human rights advocate - CBCP

A Catholic priest who was shot dead in an ambush in Northern Samar Sunday was a staunch human rights defender, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said. In an article posted on its Web site Sunday night, the CBCP said Fr. Cecilio Lucero chairs the Catarman diocese's human rights desk. "The priest is the younger brother of former Northern Samar Congressman Wilmar Lucero. He also chairs the Human Rights Desk-Social Action Center of the Diocese of Catarman," it said. Some 30 unidentified armed men shot Lucero, 48, while he was on his way to Catarman town from his parish in Catubig in Northern Samar. Police said Lucero was on board his Toyota van with two others when they were attacked in Layuhan village in San Jose town at around 8:30 a.m. His companions, civilian Isidro Miras and P02 Eugene Bation, were wounded and are being treated at a hospital in Catarman. Philippine National Police Eastern Visayas spokesman Senior Superintendent Manny Cubillo said Lucero died on the spot from a bullet wound to his head. “His police escort, P02 Bation, was able to return fire which prompted said armed men to withdraw to different directions," said Cubillo. - GMANews.TV