After performing the rituals of offerings of incense at the home of clergy Vo Van Thanh Liem’s mother, which is approximately 500 meters from the temple, the followers moved to Quang Minh temple for other rituals. They were blocked and brutally attacked by a group of about 100 police, security personel, and security guards. The attackers beat clergy Vo Van Thanh Liem and about 20 other followers including women and children. Many female followers collapsed because they were brutally beaten. The attackers also sprayed stinky sewer water to the wounded that were lying on the road. Particularly, clergy Vo Van Thanh Liem was seriously beaten by 20 attackers who beat him on his abdomen, chest and head until he collapsed.
After 1975, the Vietnamese communists engaged in a conspiracy in order to wipe out Phat Giao Hoa Hao in Southwest Vietnam. However, they haven’t been able to so until this moment. In 1947, master Huynh Phu So was murdered at Doc Vang, Dong Thap, by two communists, Tran Van Giau and Buu Vinh. By that time, Phat Giao Hoa Hao had about 2 million followers; today the number grows up to 7 or 8 million in Southwest Vietnam.
The communist regime in Vietnam has always told the international community that the State of Vietnam respects the freedom of belief and freedom of religion. Today, the brutal attack at Quang Minh temple is evidence that proves what they have said are lies that deceive the international opinion.
Reportedly, many houses of the following followers are surrounded by police: Layman Nguyen Van Hoa, Truong Kim Long, To Van Manh, Tran Van Thiep, Bui Thi Kim Phuong, at Lap Vo district, Dong Thap province. Layman Vo Van Buu, layman Le Van Triet, at Cho Moi, An Giang. Tomorrow, June 25, 2013, the followers will perform the main ceremony to celebrate the anniversary; we will continue to monitor the situation of the communist repression against Phat Giao Hoa Hao in Southwest Vietnam.
Hoa Hao Village, An Giang
