Inviting ‘Ka Filiw’

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

In what seems to be a taunting and otherwise wacky move of the Provincial Peace and Order Council to invite Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front spokesperson Simon ‘Ka Filiw’ Naogsan to the next PPOC September meeting, I can’t help grinning and wondering if ‘Ka Filiw’ also known as ‘Ka Sibat’ will accept the invitation.

Ninety nine percent chances are, Ka Filiw will not accept the invitation and instead will issue a statement or do other moves. Convince me he will attend and prove me wrong. To follow anybody’s thoughts, maximum safety and trust is a big issue for a rebel hunted by authorities. How does he look like? How guaranteed safe is the security pass to be issued by military authorities? How safe is he when he gets down from the mountains of the Cordillera to the streets of Bontoc into the Multipurpose Building where the meeting will happen and back to the mountains of the Cordillera?

I can imagine the rebel leader’s face and movements being scanned and voice memorized by NPA’s enemy, members of the Philippine Army as he exchanges pleasantries with officials and authorities of the PA, the Philippine National Police and other officials of the local government units. Such an easy target freely given. If you are Ka Filiw, will you accept the invitation and attend the PPOC meeting?

I can’t help getting amused comparing such meeting of Ka Filiw and Col ELiseo Posadas of the 501st Battalion, Commanding Officer LTC Crespillo of the 54rth Infantry Battalion along with other members of the Philippine Army and the PNP to be that of allowing the banned marijuana as a medicinal plant. Or that of nudists walking freely amongst men and women dressed in full clothing.

Besides, the question persists as to where the rebel leader shall be reached. Luke,a friend from Bontoc amusingly asked me where the PPOC will address the invitation letter? With NPA rebels having No Permanent Address, I don’t know where and how such letter will reach Ka Filiw personally.

You know of a way? Whisper to me clandestinely. Otherwise, it’s another day to talk about peace talks.
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To answer for a depleted budget which was already spent by the end of June 2010 by the out-going administration of former governor Maximo Dalog, the provincial administration headed by come-backing governor Leonard Mayaen, relies on a supplemental budget to answer for the depleted funds.

Mayaen said budgeted costs for operations and mobilization including supplies and transportation expenses supposedly till the end of the year had already been consumed by the outgoing administration. Although, such is not an issue for the in-coming governor with a P22 million supplemental budget remedy to make administration and operations function normally. That is, including budgeting of expense from the supplemental budget for the publication of the monthly Mountain Province Monitor where funds till December this year had been spent as well.

My colleague, Ziforah from Radio ng Bayan who was with me when we interviewed the governor asked the latter if such act (depletion of already budgeted funds) is illegal and Mayaen said it is the Commission on Audit who is going to say if such is illegal or irregular.

Anyone interested to pursue the question may bring such to the COA. And if ever realized, the move adds up to complaints already filed against former governor Dalog who currently faces corruption-related cases; including how to deal with a gun reportedly registered in his name and confiscated in the Paracelis gun ban case.

Anyways, Mayaen is quick to say he is not going to spend his time tinkering with perceived excesses of the previous administration as he has three years ahead of him to focus in making improvements and development for the province.

The soft spoken governor who has quick, practical solutions, and wise analysis to issues and concerns considers ‘handy’ his former experience as a governor of the province to make relevant and wise decisions for the good of the province.

Governor, I wish you the best of luck and most importantly, good health.