BEHIND THE SCENES

A ‘mysterious’ PNP Abra replacement
by Alfred P. Dizon

If people have become “immune” to mysterious dealings of government officials, it is because they think no matter how much they complain, things usually don’t turn out for the better. In Abra, I wonder what made Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos decide to replace Supt. Eugene Martin as head of Task Force Abra when he was doing a good job in maintaining peace and order in the area following a series of high-profile killings.

Reports have it that Abalos had some “juicy talks” with a prominent Abra politician before Martin was axed.

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Prior to this, the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Comelec initiated signing of a peace covenant among local politicians running in the May 14 elections in the province.

Abalos, PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon, and the AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. conducted a dialogue on April 19 with election inspectors and police and military officers in Abra to ensure honest, orderly, and peaceful elections in the province.

A “covenant for clean, honest and peaceful elections” was signed at the gymnasium of the Abra police provincial office at Camp Juan Villamor in Bangued by most candidates in the province running for local positions in the May 14 polls.

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Leading the candidates who signed the manifesto were Gov. Vicente Valera who is running for congressman, Mayor Ma. Zita Clausto Valera who is seeking the governorship, and the couple’s opponents.

Congressional candidate Cecille Luna did not participate in the signing. But Luna of Lagayen town said although Abra is under the Comelec, the poll body and the PNP should be able to stop the alleged illegal disbursement of funds by the provincial capitol allegedly for use in the elections. Abalos was mum on Luna’s statements but in his message at the signing rites, he said the people of Abra, particularly the candidates, should not to resort to violence.

He said there could be no progress and development in the area without peace. Abra politicians challenging Gov. Vicente Varela and their allies earlier asked Abalos and Calderon to investigate reported plans by incumbent provincial officials to use provincial resources and manpower to buy votes in the elections. But until now, according to pundits, Abalos has not done anything to investigate the allegations. As to why, they said the answer is as clear as a full moon on a cool, clear night.

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Pundits are also asking why Abalos commended Gov. Valera for requesting the Comelec to place Abra under its control when the PNP was doing a good job in maintaining peace and order. But for people who know how magic is done particularly during elections, the answer is as clear as the starry skies. Abalos in his own words: “In my many years as a politician, and as chairman of the Comelec, this was the first time a governor asked that his province be placed under the commission’s control. It is unusual for a sitting official to do this.

However, it is a praiseworthy act. This only proves that he (Valera) desires for peaceful elections here.” I wonder what Valera did to make Abalos utter those sugary statements attributed to him.

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Abalos who is the commissioner-in-charge for Abra, replacing Commissioner Romeo Brawner who was assigned to Mindanao also announced during the signing ceremony and in a press conference the revocation of all Comelec-issued gun ban exemptions to all civilians in the province, effective immediately. He ordered the police and the Philippine Army to apprehend persons carrying guns, as they have no business and authority to be holding firearms during he gun ban period. It was at that time that Abalos announced the recall of Martin who had to report back to the regional office of the Cordillera police in La Trinidad, Benguet to serve as deputy regional director for administration.

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I haven’t talked to Martin on what he has to say about his relief but according to Camp Dangwa officials, he has found a new task – as area supervisor for the provinces of Abra and Apayao in the May elections.

Call it a promotion but Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno reportedly ordered Task Force Abra and local police and Army units to directly report to Martin to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections in the two provinces. Abalos must be grimacing. The Comelec earlier placed Abra under its operational control saying the peace and order situation in the province had grown from bad to worse following the Dec. 16 killing of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in Quezon City.

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Bersamin’s younger brother, Eustaquio, is running for governor against Bangued Mayor Ma. Cita Valera, wife of incumbent Gov. Vicente Valera. Gov. Valera has been tagged in the killing but has denied the allegation. He is seeking the seat vacated by the slain congressman. Because of the killing, Calderon created the task force and named Martin as its commander to prevent retaliatory killings in the province.

But for still unknown reasons, Abalos ordered Martin’s relief on April 19 and replaced him with Senior Supt. Villamor Bumanglag. Martin’s relief drew criticisms from leaders of the church, non-governmental organizations and the civil society in Abra. “Why change it if it ain’t broke?” they asked. They could ask Abalos the reason but I guess, he would just mumble a few convoluted sentences with a sheepish grin like he always does on TV.