IRISH priest Father Shay Cullen has again been physically attacked for his opposition to the APEC summit, writes John Kilraine.
Father Cullen, who campaigns against sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines, was punched in the face after a crowd surrounded him when he went to greet seven priests from Ireland at Subic Bay freeport in Oloagapo city.
The Philippines government is already investigating an incident last June when Father Cullen was beaten up by local police. Father Cullen believes the authorities are now getting civilians to break up demonstrations because of international scrutiny.
"They use groups called `faithful citizens' who oppose any form of protest, they are fascist types, an angry mob who come along and tear down banners and bully people," said Father Cullen, speaking from the Philippines yesterday.
The APEC summit, which will be attended by 18 heads of state including President Clinton, is opposed by some local groups, who say free trade will increase poverty and the sexual exploitation of women and children.
They also believe the issuing of "travel cards" instead of visas for visiting businessmen will make it harder to detect child prostitution rackets
Father Cullen says the planned explosion in the tourist industry will spoil the environment and leave the service industry as the only source of employment.