HEROIC N.Z. PRIEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21777, 28 July 1945, Page 4

HEROIC N.Z. PRIEST

DIED AFTER TORTURE FILIPINOS PROTECTED JAPANESE BRUTALITY (By Tclotrruph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (11 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 28. A story of the heroism, torture and death at the hands of the Japanese of a New Zealand Roman Catholic priest in tiie Philippines is told by a Filipino guerrilla officer to a priest in Sydney. The New Zealand priest was Father Douglas, who has been stationed for two years at Pillila. 35 miles from Manila. Pillila was the centre of activity for guerrillas, to which Father Douglas acted as chaplain. The Filipino. Kenni Kuizon, said that Father Douglas was called sometimes to the mountains to hear the confessions of guerrillas who had been wounded in clashes with the Japanese. Spies reported him to the jiieiny, who sent soldiers to raid him it his monastery. The only witness to his subsequent interrogation was a Filipino houseboy, who said the Japanese aslcecl Father Douglas what the fuerrillas had told him of their activities. Father Douglas, according to the houseboy, replied: “That is a question you have no right to ask. It would be against my conscience to answer it.” Whereupon the Japanese captain, enraged, began to use violence. Father Douglas’ death occurred two days later,'but investigations by the Apostolic Delegate failed to locate the body.