Is this the prize of being poor?
Is it the prize of lawlessness?
The aftermath of the bloody clashes during the demolition of alleged squatters in Rizal, Kalinga, Philippines on June 25, 2007.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Violence in Rizal, Kalinga
Nine people were dead while ten policemen were injured during a failed demolition effort in the municipality of Rizal in Kalinga province last Monday.
The alleged squatters were defending the land they claim as their ancestral land, according to reports. The gun battle started at about 7:30 a.m. and ended at at about 5:00 p.m.
More stories: GMA, BBC, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Inquirer
Note: The stories in the above links were mostly based on accounts from Police reports, Mayor of Rizal, and other individuals. Contrary to reports, there was no court order; it was only released by the Regional Trial Court on that day while the gun battle is on-going, as told by a reliable source.
The alleged squatters were defending the land they claim as their ancestral land, according to reports. The gun battle started at about 7:30 a.m. and ended at at about 5:00 p.m.
More stories: GMA, BBC, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Inquirer
Note: The stories in the above links were mostly based on accounts from Police reports, Mayor of Rizal, and other individuals. Contrary to reports, there was no court order; it was only released by the Regional Trial Court on that day while the gun battle is on-going, as told by a reliable source.
Peace tops former law prof agenda
Former Baguio City law professor now Kalinga board member-elect Eduardo Buliyat identified peace and order as a top priority of his legislative agenda once he assumes office as provincial board member in July.
Buliyat revealed that he would push measures upgrading the capability of the Kalinga police force and strengthening the bodong as a complement to the national law.
Buliyat said he will work “to effect the education of police officers especially with respect to the performance of their function.”
Buliyat blamed the ignorance of law enforcers particularly on procedures in effecting a valid arrest as a big reason why many cases filed by the police are usually dismissed by the courts.
The only lawyer among the incoming members of provincial board added that he would even conduct lectures to policemen on Saturdays.
Buliyat served in various capacities as instructor and legal counsel at the Philippine Military Academy for 22 years before retiring in 2004 with the rank of a colonel. He also taught law at the University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio Colleges Foundation) college of law from 1982 to 2002.
To enhance crime prevention, Buliyat said he shall see to it that police visibility be heightened especially in crowded areas like the public market.
Buliyat rued the fact that the Bulanao police sub-station is within the market compound yet the volume of crimes in Barangay Bulanao happen in or around the area.
“It seems they’re just staying inside their quarters instead of patrolling,” Buliyat said.
He added that he would also see to the upgrading of police equipments and provision of patrol cars claiming the province has the funds and, if that is not enough, donors can be tapped for support. He cited the buses of PMA, which were donated by the government of South Korea.
Buliyat added further that the province may solicit from businessmen. He justified that businessmen could always use additional protection.
Lastly, Buliyat cited the need to establish additional police outposts in some areas of Bulanao and Poblacion.
On the bodong, Buliyat, a native of Lubo, Tanudan, said the customary law should not interfere with law enforcement.
“The bodong should instead strengthen the national law,” he said.
He added that one aspect of the bodong that is contradictory to the national law is the practice of revenge, one of the modes of justice prescribed in the pagta (the unwritten code of the bodong) the other being the multa (fine).
Traditionally, it is the bodong holder who meted justice against the offending member of his own tribe as a matter of duty and honor as enforcer of the bodong. Such has gradually ceased to be the case.
Buliyat said, “Bodong holders should help in the apprehension of criminals if they have knowledge (of the criminal’s whereabouts and/or his involvement).”
He added that support should be given to strengthening the bodong confederation and that the congressman-elect, Manuel Agyao, should provide funds for that.
Aside from peace and order, Buliyat included health, education and livelihood advocacies in his agenda.
“Nothing grand, just those that are doable,” Buliyat said.**Bani Asbucan
Buliyat revealed that he would push measures upgrading the capability of the Kalinga police force and strengthening the bodong as a complement to the national law.
Buliyat said he will work “to effect the education of police officers especially with respect to the performance of their function.”
Buliyat blamed the ignorance of law enforcers particularly on procedures in effecting a valid arrest as a big reason why many cases filed by the police are usually dismissed by the courts.
The only lawyer among the incoming members of provincial board added that he would even conduct lectures to policemen on Saturdays.
Buliyat served in various capacities as instructor and legal counsel at the Philippine Military Academy for 22 years before retiring in 2004 with the rank of a colonel. He also taught law at the University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio Colleges Foundation) college of law from 1982 to 2002.
To enhance crime prevention, Buliyat said he shall see to it that police visibility be heightened especially in crowded areas like the public market.
Buliyat rued the fact that the Bulanao police sub-station is within the market compound yet the volume of crimes in Barangay Bulanao happen in or around the area.
“It seems they’re just staying inside their quarters instead of patrolling,” Buliyat said.
He added that he would also see to the upgrading of police equipments and provision of patrol cars claiming the province has the funds and, if that is not enough, donors can be tapped for support. He cited the buses of PMA, which were donated by the government of South Korea.
Buliyat added further that the province may solicit from businessmen. He justified that businessmen could always use additional protection.
Lastly, Buliyat cited the need to establish additional police outposts in some areas of Bulanao and Poblacion.
On the bodong, Buliyat, a native of Lubo, Tanudan, said the customary law should not interfere with law enforcement.
“The bodong should instead strengthen the national law,” he said.
He added that one aspect of the bodong that is contradictory to the national law is the practice of revenge, one of the modes of justice prescribed in the pagta (the unwritten code of the bodong) the other being the multa (fine).
Traditionally, it is the bodong holder who meted justice against the offending member of his own tribe as a matter of duty and honor as enforcer of the bodong. Such has gradually ceased to be the case.
Buliyat said, “Bodong holders should help in the apprehension of criminals if they have knowledge (of the criminal’s whereabouts and/or his involvement).”
He added that support should be given to strengthening the bodong confederation and that the congressman-elect, Manuel Agyao, should provide funds for that.
Aside from peace and order, Buliyat included health, education and livelihood advocacies in his agenda.
“Nothing grand, just those that are doable,” Buliyat said.**Bani Asbucan
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Monday, June 25, 2007
Hurrah! Tabuk is now a city
Vox populi, vox Dei!
Constituents of Tabuk overwhelmingly voted "Yes" for the conversion of Tabuk into a new city in a plebiscite held last Saturday.
The "Yes" got 17,066 votes. There were however 2,033 who voted for "No".
There were about five last precincts that were not counted in the municipal canvassing by the Comelec because it is immaterial anymore to continue counting them as the wide margin lead of "Yes" votes could not be offset. The precinct counts of those uncounted precincts however show that the "Yes" votes won over the "No" votes, according to the teachers.
As usual, a low voters turn out was observed at about 48 percent as a whole.
The cityhood of Tabuk is one of the major legislative accomplishments of Congressman Laurence Wacnang.It is a historic event for Tabuk and Kalinga province in general.
Constituents of Tabuk overwhelmingly voted "Yes" for the conversion of Tabuk into a new city in a plebiscite held last Saturday.
The "Yes" got 17,066 votes. There were however 2,033 who voted for "No".
There were about five last precincts that were not counted in the municipal canvassing by the Comelec because it is immaterial anymore to continue counting them as the wide margin lead of "Yes" votes could not be offset. The precinct counts of those uncounted precincts however show that the "Yes" votes won over the "No" votes, according to the teachers.
As usual, a low voters turn out was observed at about 48 percent as a whole.
The cityhood of Tabuk is one of the major legislative accomplishments of Congressman Laurence Wacnang.It is a historic event for Tabuk and Kalinga province in general.
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Saturday, June 23, 2007
Will Tabuk be a new city?
Today, June 23, 2007, citizens of Tabuk casted their votes (in a plebiscite) whether they give a nod on the proposal to convert the municipality of Tabuk into a component city or reject it. It is simply a matter of "YES" or "NO" vote. The result of the counting of votes is yet to be known maybe tomorrow.
I observed this morning at the Bulanao Central School, in all the precincts, that it seems only few voters were coming to cast their respective votes unlike the recently held May 14 national and local elections although it had still a low voters turn-out. I guess it's the same in other places.
After all the busy weeks of campaigning for "Yes", I believe "Yes" votes are gonna win. If that happens, beginning 2008 Tabuk will have its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) increase four-folds according to estimates - to more or less 300 million. Whew! We expect that the ensuing years we will see the construction sector busy in all places of Tabuk city.
Personally however our agricultural lands, our whole green lands, must be preserved against the onslaught of rapid urbanization. That urbanization must not be equated with the destruction of our rice fields, forest, and environment. This is a matter policy of consideration.
Breaking news: Diasen killer surrendered
I observed this morning at the Bulanao Central School, in all the precincts, that it seems only few voters were coming to cast their respective votes unlike the recently held May 14 national and local elections although it had still a low voters turn-out. I guess it's the same in other places.
After all the busy weeks of campaigning for "Yes", I believe "Yes" votes are gonna win. If that happens, beginning 2008 Tabuk will have its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) increase four-folds according to estimates - to more or less 300 million. Whew! We expect that the ensuing years we will see the construction sector busy in all places of Tabuk city.
Personally however our agricultural lands, our whole green lands, must be preserved against the onslaught of rapid urbanization. That urbanization must not be equated with the destruction of our rice fields, forest, and environment. This is a matter policy of consideration.
Breaking news: Diasen killer surrendered
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Get used to it
My third year high school students had a funny way of saying what could well be the reason behind a number of people’s opposition to the idea of Tabuk becoming a city. I asked them what their vote would be assuming they were allowed to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to citihood in the upcoming plebiscite. The answer I got was a resounding “NO!” When I asked them why, they simply said, “Basta!” When I pointed out that their answer is confusing, one stood up to say, “Basta, sir, di ko talaga feel,” to the approval of the class.
That brief exchange in class reminded me of a point raised by a friend who pointed out that the main reason people are not sold to the idea of Tabuk becoming a city is the gross mismatch between the image a city evokes in one’s mind and the image one actually sees in town. “Kasla nga saan nga maibagay,” is how he put it.
Add to this the point raised by some professionals and businessmen here which saw print in a previous article. Allow me to quote them on their statement again, “Kas-ano nga agbalin nga syudad ti Tabuk ket awan pay lang ti Jollibee.”
On my part as a columnist for the local paper Guru Press, I did hammer the point that people will feel queasy about giving their nod to citihood when they could not find even a slight semblance of city living in town.
Talking of recollection, I did predict in a press conference held some months ago that Tabuk will become a city and that Mayor Camilo Lammawin will be its first city mayor. I was right about Lammawin. As for the first prediction, I still stand by it.
I’ll tell you why.
The municipal government presently gives every barangay in Tabuk an equal sharing of 100,000 from the LGU’s internal revenue allotment. If our town officials are to be believed, Tabuk’s IRA will triple if it becomes a city. This means the share of every barangay will likewise triple. The increase in the share may not be that much significant to Bulanao and the barangays around the Poblacion area, but it could go a long way in barangays like Nambucayan, Calaccad, Cabaritan and other struggling barangays. With more money to spend on projects, a barangay chairman could easily endear himself to his constituents so you can be sure they will campaign very hard for Tabuk to become a city.
As for those who keep insisting that Tabuk cannot become a city because there is no Jollibee here, you might as well find better arguments. I myself could not imagine a city without a single movie house or at least some semblance of urban living but, hey, if it depended on appearances then our town will never get to become a city and we just might miss a great opportunity to make something of our beloved Tabuk.
Part of my certainty that Tabuk will become a city despite all the talks against it is because those opposing citihood are mostly residents of the urban barangays of Tabuk. Bulanao where my I keep my family is of special mention here. I had observed the voting trend in Bulanao and in some of the urban barangays and I had long since figured that Bulanao residents (likewise residents of Poblacion and other urban barangays) are so full of political opinions but are too lazy to vote. This last election, less than 50 % of Bulanao voters exercised their right of suffrage. The trend holds true in Poblacion and the other urban barangays.
Now you go back to the point I raised on the struggling barangays, and you will probably agree with me.
If that's not enough to convince you that Tabuk will become a city, I'll give you one more fact to chew on. In the last election, barely 25 000 of the over 44 000 registered voters of Tabuk went to vote. With no candidates imploring voters to vote, often with some "donation" (in cash or in kind) on hand, expect that less will actually vote even if this particular exercise is, in fact, more important than an election -- officials will come and go but being a city will not.
How does this guarantee victory for the yes-vote? No, "dagdag-bawas" won't be necessary. Just plain "dagdag" will do. The dagdag, of course, will come courtesy of the voters who would not vote. You can't do this in the urban barangays. But, in the other barangays...the sky is the limit, my friends.
And so it is that the barrios and the sitios would, in the end, be the ones that would carry Tabuk into becoming a city while Bulanao and Poblacion get to reap the benefits.
For those who feel Tabuk does not have the looks of a city and to you out there who are not from Tabuk, read the title. Yes, you better get used to the fact that Tabuk will become a city, and never mind that there is no Jollibee or McDonald's here.
***
Let me just share one personal gripe against the citification drive. I was born in Poblacion West, just behind Tabuk National High School where I presently teach, but I grew up in Baguio City (now that’s a city) and lived for some months in Caloocan City (that’s also another city). You see I left two cities so I could live in a nice suburban town like Tabuk with lots of green wherever I look but, now that I’m here, my town officials had seen it fit to make me a city boy again.
The joke is on us
The best joke on cityhood comes courtesy of the Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association, an organization of the clergy of the twin provinces that is more activist than secular. And a green joke it is.
"Baka met no agbalin nga city ti Tabuk ket ngumina ti babae," the priests reportedly said in jest.
Town officials who convened the meeting merely laughed with their audience but apparently made no reply.
Colleagues at the academe have an answer in reply to the KARSA's jest patented after Vice-Mayor Rainier Sarol's standard answer to allegations that prices of goods will increase once Tabuk becomes a city based on elementary principles of supply and demand. My colleagues claim that the fees of hookers will decrease in response to the stiff competition to be brought in by more "doves of low flight" who will come over to establish their trade.
Anyway, it was KARSA chairman and Anglican bishop Rev. Renato Abibico who said that becoming a city "should be a natural process." I suppose the good bishop's comment is self-explanatory. I happen to agree very much with it, too.
As pointed out by several naysayers and undecided, a town becomes a city because it had reached a high level of development and civilization, both of which are lacking in the case of Tabuk. They also contend that the logic of local officials that Tabuk must become a city first so there will be development later, betrays the real score: that the quest for cityhood is a quest for a bigger internal revenue allotment -- no more, no less.
I would like to add that in case their allegation is correct, then the same reflects a quality of leadership that requires huge sums at the official's disposal so he could erect a waiting shed.
Saturday's plebiscite would be a watershed moment in Tabuk's history and would have a lasting impact not only for our town but also for the entire province and, to some extent, the entire region. We would have two cities in Cordi. Cebu has at least four and it's only a province, but never mind.
What I find funny is that the opposition to the citification drive find no better argument other than the prices of goods increasing.
For one, there's the social, moral and environmental costs of a town becoming a city. Living in a city means more problems along those areas. The municipal government is somewhat incapable of dealing with the problems the way things are. How does it expect to deal with them after the imagined ecnomic boom shall have worsened them? Sure, the local government will have thrice more than its present resources, but I'm willing to bet the problems will also multiply by more than three-fold.
And what if the economic take-off our officials had been mouthing to sell cityhood to the public does not materialize? Then the joke is on us.
Know what? That's not the worst joke. The chances that there would be no economic take-off for Tabuk are really enormous. But that's stuff I don't want to dwell upon for now. For now, I'd like to take the optimist position. Yes, readers, I am voting "yes" to Tabuk City and so would majority of Tabukenos.** Bani Asbucan
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