LETTER TO THE EDITOR

An open letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Dear Madame President:

We, the Representatives of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), respectfully submit our strong opposition to and reconsideration of the NGQ-PNP General Order Number DPL 07-11 issued on August 30, 2007 which is going to transfer the administrative and operational supervision and control of the Kalinga and Apayao Police Provincial Offices (PPOs) from the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-Cordillera), to the Regional Director, Police Regional Office 2.

We are compelled to oppose and move for the reconsideration of the above mentioned order because we were not fully consulted about it, especially the province of Kalinga and Apayao.

We respectfully submit the same is violative of the provision and intention of Executive Order 220 (EO 220) that created our region. Section 5 of EO 220 states:

“The CAR shall coordinate the planning and implementation of programs and services in the area.”

Specifically, “it shall appoint, supervise, control and discipline personnel of the CAR and of such other offices may be funded by it and shall likewise advise the National Government on matters affecting the Cordilleras.”

Section 6 of the same executive order likewise provides: “A regional security force shall be organized to assist in the defense and security of the region.”

Moreover, the affected provinces of Kalinga and Apayao through their respective Provincial and Municipal Officials, supported by the Kalinga and Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA), represented by Bishop Prudencio Andaya, Jr. of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop Renato Abibico of the Episcopal Diocese, Rotary Club of Tabuk, Kalinga, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (JBP)-Kalinga Chapter, are vehemently opposed to the transfer of the administration operational supervision and control of the Kalinga and Apayao Police Offices from the Police Regional office-CAR to the Police Regional Office of Region II.

Resolutions of the Provincial Boards of the Provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Integrated Bat the Philippines, Kalinga Chapter, Rotary Club of Tabuk, Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA), letters of Governors Flordelia S. Diasen and Elias K. Bulut, Prudencio Andaya of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop Renato Abibico of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon, Philippine Episcopal Church have been attached for your ready reference.

The creation of CAR as a special region preparatory to autonomy to the Cordilleras was a result of a concerted struggle by the Cordillera people. As we had pointed out, the said order is a clear violation of the said Executive Order and struggle.

We likewise believe that the transfer of PNP Kalinga and Apayao Police Offices to Region 2 is prejudicial to the concern of the people of Kalinga and Apayao specifically, and the Cordillera as a whole, to stand and administer itself as one region.

Having a common cultural heritage and history and being one in their struggles for

recognition and autonomy, the Cordillera peoples can better work together towards the pursuit of their plans and aspirations. It is but proper to allow them to deal with their problems, face their challenges and concerns in all aspects of development including peace and order.

In view hereof, we pray, Madame President, that the above-mentioned NHQ-PNP General Order Number DPL 0711 issued August 30, 2007, be reconsidered in order that the Kalinga and Apayao Police Provincial Offices will remain under the authority and supervision of PNP Regional Office-CAR.

Thank you Madame President for your favorable consideration on the matter. We remain as your die-hard supporters.

Very Truly Yours,

HON. SOLOMON-R. CHUNGALAO
Representative
Lone District of Ifugao

HON. ELIAS C. BULUT JR.
Representative
Lone District of Apayao

HON. CECILIA B. LUNA
Representative
Lone District of Abra

HON. VICTOR S. DOMINGUEZ
Representative
Lone District of Mt. Province

HON. SAMUEL M. DANGWA
Representative
Lone District of Benguet

HON. MANUEL. S. AGYAO
Representative
Lone District of Kalinga

HON. MAURICIO G. DOMOGAN
Representative
Lone District of Baguio City