Martial law at South Drive

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

David March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- While Baguio and Benguet were still reeling from typhoon Maring’s wrath amid the Covid-19 pandemic, some 50 police personnel in battle gear but with no nameplates forcibly entered the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) building at South Drive. The manner of entry was uncalled for as this was done in the style of what can be described as “magnanakaw sa gabi” (thief in the night).
    The very early dawn intrusion into the Beneco building by the National Electrification Commission (NEA) Project Supervisor Omar Mayo, Atty. Ana Marie Rafael-Bana-ag and policemen from Camp Dangwa at around 2:40 a.m. on Oct. 18 resulted to widespread condemnation from Baguio and Benguet communities.
    Beneco president Atty. Esteban Somngi, along with other board of directors said that what the police did was illegal as they had no legal papers to present, no court order, no search warrant. Doubly illegal at that because the police claimed they were there to carry out an order issued by NEA. If so, all the more that it should be enforced during office hours, not at dawn, and not by 50 policemen in battle gear and no nameplates.
    Beneco GM Engr. Mel Licoben confirmed that the police who entered the compound carried long firearms, barricaded the entrances, took the recorder of the CCTV system and damaged a glass door. Car keys of Beneco motor vehicles were missing and the Data Control and Acquisition System was altered.
    The actions of the police under the nose of a NEA official is reminiscent of Martial Law in the mid-70s and a time during the early 80s when unidentified men in uniform were used to enforce questionable orders from questionable individuals. Others called it “sabotage”.
    Naturally, the Beneco workers on duty during wee hours were frightened and left their stations upon seeing the policemen force their way into the offices in combat attire and long firearms. The intruders should have their day in court.
    In the hours that followed, the police barred employees from entering their offices in the Beneco building while other workers were afraid to report for work after watching the video footages of how police barged into the building.
    Condemnation of the latest forcible entry into the Beneco facilities was widespread. Upon learning about the incident, the Philreca and APEC, members of the power bloc in congress, along with other partylist groups immediately wrote to DILG Sec. Eduardo M. Año and PNP Chief Guillermo Eleazar informing them that armed policemen forced their way into the Beneco premises.
    The congressmen said the Beneco compound was treated like a military camp, policemen prevented workers from entering and police outposts along South Drive stopped motorists and cars were inspected.
    In a separate statement, the power bloc group in congress “condemned the unlawful acts and anti-MCO intentions of Marie Rafael-Bana-ag, project supervisor Omar Mayo and NEA-BOA alternate chair and now NEA Administrator Emmanuel Juaneza,” asserting further that NEA has no power to take over the management of Beneco unless they can prove that it is an ailing cooperative.
    In his press conference, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong described Beneco as a “gold standard” electric coop and asked Malacanang Exec. Sec. Salvador Medialdea in his message “why is it being fixed when it is not broken,” telling him further that the MCOs of Beneco will continue to fight because it is the right thing to do.  
    At the same time the mayor reiterated his trust and confidence in GM Licoben’s leadership, describing the latter as competent, excellent leader, has the experience and managerial skills to run an electric company.
    He condemned the incident as it disrupted activities in the city and in Benguet at a time when these areas were reeling from the wrath of typhoon Maring such as the unstable electric power, search and rescue for typhoon victims, repair of damaged infrastructure amid the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
    The mayor’s office has been receiving power failure complaints at that time. Mayor Magalong hoped Atty. Rafael-Bana-ag’s group could normalize operations but they were unable to do so, considering that they really do not have the capability to run an electric company.
    The mayor said, member-consumer-owners (MCOs) of Beneco can resolve this issue maturely and professionally, and can show to the NEA that people here are educated and do not resort to violence.  
    “Everytime we are faced with a situation, we resolve things peacefully, and that is the character of people from Baguio and Benguet,” mayor Magalong told the MCOs. True, the MCOs today support the leadership of GM Licoben.
    But in contrast, I also remember that prior to Beneco’s modernization, there were instances when certain directors of the board placed their own electric cooperative in shameful status. There was a time in the 80s when a Beneco truck that was used to transport illegally sawn Pine lumber was apprehended by the police and the DENR.
    For those of you who have been with Beneco for the longest time, you should know the story. Of course, you know who that person was. Maybe his shadow is still with Beneco today. Well, that is another story to tell.
    Earlier said, the manner of intrusion into the Beneco compound was uncalled for as this was done in the style of “magnanakaw sa gabi” (thief in the night). To say that the style was “akyat-bahay” is a kinder phrase.  
Officials from Baguio City and Benguet immediately expressed concern and dismay over the incident last week. In Benguet, provincial board members filed six resolutions, one of which is the declaration of Atty. Rafael-Bana-ag as persona non grata in Benguet. It was authored by Atty. Juan Nazarro, Jr.
    Atty. Mayo insisted that Rafael-Banaag had long assumed as general manager. He has to read back the rules. She was not confirmed by the Beneco board because she is not qualified. Government officers cannot be appointed GM in ECs. Their appointee was clearly a Presidential Communications Operations Office assistant secretary.