Monsters
Yesterday, I got to talk with a kababayan from my hometown, a local journalist who’s a cousin of our First Sergeant. Upon talking to him, I found out that his purpose of getting to Manila was to stay away from the prying eyes of some local politicians who wanted him dead. He’s also supposedly to contact Mike Enriquez of GMA7 in order to expose some of the political crooks’ malpractice of power in our town. Now he’s seeking refuge in the city.
Last Wednesday, The First, whom I feel closely affiliated with since we came from a common hometown, just came back from a mission. In our jargon, a mission is actually a vacation that can extend up to 10 days duly approved by our commander. He informed me of their encounter with Muro-ami fishing vessels near the coasts of Badian (their barrio). These Muro-ami boats destroy coral reefs in order to harvest bountiful catches. Just imagine how disastrous this activities are to the ecosystem in that area. Years ago, I have been to that place (an adjacent barrio, Cagmanaba) and I can attest as to how virginal its waters are. In fact, when we road the boat, I can see the reefs and other sea creatures through the clear blue shallow water.
I found out later, while chatting with the journalist, that his mission was to accompany his cousin in executing citizen’s arrest on these folks doing illegal activities. His and the journalist’s efforts, however, were futile as they found out that the Muro-ami vessel is owned (financed) by the Oas town mayor. As The First’s story goes, there were even ambush threats on both ends of the road that’s why they chose the sea route, shipped his motorcycle via ferry boat, and landed on Balatan shores in Camarines Sur instead.
Barely breating, I can imagine them. Then he even told me more on what he knows about the political and economic situation in our province, the skirmishes among politicians, media, military and left-wing organizations. I recognized same old players, those who were in position 6 years ago. Then, he even mentioned names of people whom I personally know - parents of my former classmates and family friends, who are involved in these nearly absolutely evil deeds against the townspeople. I wasn’t so surprised. (At this point, I’m glad that my father decided to ‘work his ass off’ abroad than be involved with these kind of people.)
Now that he’s here, I do hope that the issue be brought out on the national tv. Everyone should know, especially the people in my hometown. It’s not enough that only a few people would take action in solving these issues. I offered help in any Internet-related resource that he might need. I share these journalists plight against the societal crooks.
Well, I’m aware that the 2007 local elections is to be held 7 months from now. People should know about the degrees of ‘evil’ among prospective leaders and decide to choose the lesser evil.
