LETTERS

In defense of our police

The recent hostage drama at the Luneta perpetuated by a dismissed police captain and the unprofessional rescue operations conducted by the Integrated National Police brings to mind the image of our policemen and their tactical and mental capability to enforce laws.

It would be risky to take the side of the police at this time when there is a polyglot of world-wide rage and irritation over the bungled rescue attempt that led to the death of 10 Hong Kong tourists including the hostage taker.

In fairness however, we are of the view that the police is a victim of community bias. We are witness to incidents where parents use the police to silence crying children. They threaten bawling children to behave with the presence of policemen. Unknowingly, the practice nevertheless fashions upon the child a negative insight of the role of police officers.

At an early age, the child sees the police as one to be feared and dreaded instead of a friendly officer whose duty is to help maintain a harmonious environment in the community. In childhood, I imagined the policeman as a friend, a grown-up boy scout, helpful, kind, caring, and an upright citizen who embodies other virtues of an idol.

Narrations of the shenanigan activities of some members of his tribe have not lessened what the police and his uniform represent.
Underpaid, short-changed of training and equipment to conduct his duties effectively he is atavistically and shamefully the victim of his own atmosphere in the organization.
He lives in a world of solipsism. After that miserable carnage at the Luneta, the police “had it” as the goose said to the gander yet the confidence as a peace officer remains. - Hilarion ‘Abe’ Pawid


‘5 ID offer of local peace talks, immunity empty talk’

During the Mountain Province Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting last August 5, Col. Eliseo Posadas, 501st Bde commander, called for local peace talks and personally guaranteed the safety of the CPDF spokesperson and other members of the revolutionary movement whom he invited to attend. We believe the AFP’s push for local peace talks is just another deceptive public relations and psywar tactic.

There are peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. These talks have reached several agreements such as the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

Both parties have signed the Hague Joint Declaration which spells out the principles, framework and sequence of substantive agendas to be tackled during the peace talks. These agreements and declarations are legal and binding.

Unfortunately, peace talks had to be suspended due to the government’s non-compliance and frequent violations of all signed agreements.
The Cordillera People’s Democratic Front shares the view of the rest of the revolutionary movement that localized peace talks are unnecessary and disrespect previous efforts at the national level. The guarantee of safety and immunity issued by Col. Posadas is just empty talk. If the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police can easily arrest, incarcerate, forcibly disappear, and kill NDFP consultants covered by the JASIG, then it would be easier for them to disregard the personal guarantee issued by a mere field-grade officer.

The NDFP is open to a resumption of peace talks with the GRP. Noynoy Aquino in his first State of the Nation Address called for peace talks with the NDFP, but so far has done nothing to back up his rhetoric.

The 5th ID is engaging in double talk. It calls for local peace talks, but deploys additional combat troops in the Mountain Province. The call for local peace talks is camouflage for increasing militarization. Col. Posadas said that army units operating in Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province and Ifugao use the Convergence Approach, a formula of Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) that was applied in Bohol from 2003-2007. This formula relies on a combination of palliative showcase projects and intense militarization.

Col. Posadas has made it clear that he intends to make Mountain Province the showcase in the national anti-insurgency drive. This can only lead to more violence against the people, and greater damage to their lands and livelihoods.

The CPDF remains committed to a just and lasting peace under a truly free and democratic society that guarantees the basic political, economic, and socio-cultural rights of the national minorities of the Cordillera and the rest of the Filipino people. Until then, we shall remain steadfast in advancing the revolutionary armed struggle. – (Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan, spokesperson, Cordillera People’s Democratic Front)


Missing Jane

It was shocking to see Jane in a coffin. Virginia “Jane” Anaban-Yamashita recently died after having been hospitalized since May this year. Her remains has lain in state at the morgue of the Church of the Resurrection for a few days before she was brought home to Sagada.

I couldn’t embrace her as we always and whenever she came home from a vacation. This time it was sorrow.

Those who went to attend her vigil remembered how she would sit by her store and smilingly talk with passers-by and even would invite them for a cup of coffee and cake which she bakes.

During the requiem service, Saint Mary the Virgin Church Rector Fr Prinzel Balitog said there was one thing common in the email messages which he received from senders around the world. They miss her smile.

Goodbye Jane. Jocelyn (Navarro) and I will miss you. Pilmi adi nan seseg-ang mi . You were a wonderful sister and barkada. Thank you for your companionship, kindness, enthusiasm, generosity, and helpfulness. Thank you too for having shared your laughter, humor and your smile. May you rest in peace with the Lord. – Shirley P. Dizon