By LIWAY M. YPARRAGUIRRE

TRAVELED to La Union a couple of times last week.

There was the Regional Mobile Group 1 (RMG1) turn-over of command at the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) headquarters in San Fernando City last Tuesday.

Supt. Edgar Basbas, former Dagupan City police chief, succeeded Supt. Dionico Borromeo (they swapped posts) as RMG1 group director with Gen. Leopoldo Bataoil, PRO1 director, administering the ceremony.

Last Thursday, through the invitation of Engr. Joseph Dumuk, La Union Provincial Information Officer, I covered the La Union Peace and Order Council Meeting presided by Gov. Manuel Ortega. Also present were Gen. Bataoil, La Union Provincial Director Franklin Bucayu, Vice Gov. Martin de Guzman III, and La Union Mayors’ League President George Binzon of Luna town.

Main agenda was the recent killing of Bauang Municipal Treasurer Felicidad Picar.

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Before the meeting ended, Gov. Ortega begged for the attendees’ understanding as he was emotional when he delivered his opening statement. He said he may look tough but he really has a soft heart and it pains him learning of innocent people gettingkilled.

“Hindi ganon kainit ang pulitika dito. We have been in politics for 106 years now. This is the first time that we encountered this kind of situation. This is the first time that the other side came into La Union politics. As far as our political clan is concerned, we can easily handle them. But we don’t want to violate the law. We want to do it in the proper channel and follow what the law is. Sobra na ito, tapos na ang election, the people have spoken.

Why do they have to do it against innocent people,” said Gov. Ortega in an interview after the meeting.

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Smorgasbord would like to share parts of the speech of Gov. Ortega. At some point in his speech, his voice cracked while he tried hard to contain his tears from falling:

“Over the period spanning 175 years, the people of La Union have resolutely faced the challenges of the times and
transcended seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to transform the province into one of the most dynamic, most progressive and most peaceful province in the country.

The recent events … the bombings and attempted bombings in various parts of the province were meant to destabilize this administration and sow terror among our people.

A few days ago, Bauang Municipal Treasurer Felicidad Picar was murdered. The despicable manner by which she was killed was meant to inflict fear and silence those who dare speak and take action.

The impudence with which these dastardly acts were committed demonstrates that the people behind these crimes are driven only by their evil ambitions and selfish interests.
I denounce in the strongest terms these acts of violence; and I take upon myself to exert all possible efforts and consider all legal avenues to bring to justice those who perpetuated them.

I commend the officers and men of the PNP for the prompt action taken. I appeal to the honorable members of the justice system to be swift in penalizing those who have masterminded and conspired to commit this felonious act and to impose the maximum punishment allowed under the law.

I call on the people of La Union to join me in condemning and curtailing these acts of violence. I appeal to all witnesses and those who have any information regarding these barbaric acts to come forward. Your heroic acts are required to put an end to violence. I challenge those behind these crimes against the innocent, to bring their issues to the proper forum. Your cowardice becomes more palpable as to you hide under the cloak of violence.

To the people of La Union, we have worked hard to be where we are now. We should not let a few individuals rob us of the fruits of our labor.”

Meanwhile, the La Union provincial board passed a resolution (no. 208-2007) requesting Pres. Gloria Arroyo “to intervene in the speedy investigation/resolution of all unsolved killings of private citizens and government officials and employees within the Province of La Union and to direct the PNP and other law enforcement agencies to conduct speedy investigation on these unsolved cases.