TRAVEL LIGHT

In the absence of orders, go find something and kill it. - Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

No this is not a scene from an action movie. This is a shot taken from the UNTV video during a supposed “shootout” between the PNP-Traffic Management Group’s Task Force Limbas and an alleged carjacking-carnapping syndicate.

The video captured how the cops (all in civilian clothes with no distinguishing marks or badges) pumped more bullets into the seemingly already lifeless bodies slumped inside the car.

The PNP manual of operational procedures states what steps to take immediately after a shootout. The manual says the officer in charge of the operation shall:

• Secure the site of confrontation.
• Check whether the situation still poses imminent danger.
• Evacuate the wounded to the nearest hospital.
• Account for the killed, wounded, and arrested persons for proper disposition.

The video footage prompted an investigation by PNP for possible irregularities committed during the operation. But even before the investigation can come up with results, the cops involved are reinstated and were already commended by the DILG Secretary for a job well done.

“Buti na lang hindi kami pinabayaan nang aming mga nakakataas”, said a happy cop involved in the shootout interviewed after being reinstated. The video was gruesome but for some reason this statement is more scary.

Gaffes, blunders and other lapses

Last Saturday, GMA gleefully announced in television the capture of one of Abu Sayyaf’s most notorious leader, Radilon Sahiron. Less than a day after her announcement, the PNP retracted by saying they got the wrong guy.

The Palace has once again made a slip.

One after another, a string of gaffes had plagued GMA’s government.As recorded by the PDI:

July 26, 2002: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced in Sarangani province that suspected kidnap leader Faizal Marohombsar had been arrested. Minutes later, she withdrew her statement, saying she was fed wrong information.

A month later, Marohombsar was killed in a shootout with security forces.

July 28, 2002: Media men were called to a press conference where senior Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon was supposed to be presented. The press conference did not push through. It turned out that Hapilon had not been captured. He is still at large.

Aug. 2, 2002: Ms Arroyo visited the NBI offices and presented Acsa Ramirez, a cashier of the Land Bank of the Philippines-Binangonan branch, as a suspect in a P203-million tax diversion scam involving officials of the government bank.Ramirez, it turned out, was the one who exposed the scam. She got an apology from Ms Arroyo a year later.

Oct. 17, 2002: Police arrested 21-year-old Mark Bolkerin Gumbahale, an alleged leader of the Abu Sayyaf. “He’s one of the top eight Abu Sayyaf leaders with a P5 million price for his capture,” Ms Arroyo said at a press briefing.

Five days later, then national police Director General Ebdane apologized for the misidentification. Gumbalahe was not an ASG leader but simply a member.

Recently, GMA accused ABS-CBN broadcaster, Julius Babao as coddler of a suspected terrorist by allegedly bailing out Tyrone “Dawud” Santos. Later, after much prodding from media both ISAFP and Malacanang admitted that they don’t have any evidence to prove their accusations against Babao. GMA doesn’t want to make a public apology.

The Bunye caper on the Garci tapes. Secretary Bunye presented to media supposed doctored and real tapes where he said that the woman’s voice on tape was not GMA but sounded like her. Weeks after the Bunye’s blunder and a period of silence, GMA admitted it was she on the tape and according to her it was just a lapse in judgment. She apologizes by merely saying “I am sorry”.

The list continues, but over and above all these, perhaps the greatest of all gaffes, blunders and lapses is that of GMA claiming she is President of the Philippines.

When the time comes, the Filipino people will have to say, “Apologies not accepted”.

Baguio Holiday

Let’s go into the mountains and leave it all behind…

Yup, katulad ng kantang yan, ang Soft Melody ni John Kaizan Neptune, ang ginawa namin before Halloween. We went to Baguio for a short 4 day vacation. Pinili naming umakyat before the holiday para hindi pa puno ang Baguio ng mga bakasyonista, wala pang traffic at wala pang momo…hehehehe.

Second family vacation namin ito. Yung una sa Mindanao pa when Maia was only about 7 months old. Plano talaga namin ng partner kong si Bambit na magkaroon kami ng regular family vacations. We believe that building happy memories together strengthens family bonds. Besides, kelangan din ang ganitong mga breaks bilang respite sa pressures ng trabaho and the hustle and bustle of city life. So, off to Baguio we went.

Maganda pa rin ang Baguio. Tumpak pa rin itong tawaging vacation capital ng Pilipinas. Maraming magsasabi na sawa na sila sa Baguio, same old spots (i.e. Mines View, Burnham, etc…) lang din naman daw ang pupuntahan. Precisely, one goes to these same old spots because you can find them only in Baguio.

The most elementary rule in going to other places is you go to see, feel and find stuff that you don’t find anywhere else. You don’t go to Baguio to visit SM or eat at McDonalds, etc… Though some people suggested SM as one of the places on our itinerary, we resisted. There are more interesting places one ought to go in Baguio than these implanted symbols of western consumerism.

You want to go thrift shopping - go to the wag-wagan or ukay-ukay where you’ll find some good and rare stuff. You want to eat chicken, have a taste of the pinikpikan. And for a good brew, try the Benguet Coffee being sold at the Baguio Market.

Masaya ang pagliwaliw namin sa mga Baguio landmarks. Para na rin itong revisitation ng nakaraan. Not so long ago ako ang batang akay ng aking mga magulang habang namamasyal sa Mines View, sa Mansion, sa Grotto, sa Baguio Cathedral at sa Burnham Park. Ngayon ako naman ang umaakay sa aking baby habang namamasyal kami sa mga pook na to.

Nilibot din namin ang Camp John Hay kung saan binisita namin ang sinasabing “haunted” na century-old Bell House. We witnessed a pass in review practice of the CCAFP on the Borromeo Field of Fort del Pilar. We had a healthy lunch at Bencab’s Cafe by the Ruins where they serve organic rice and veggies. Their pasta is great too. We strolled up and down the Session Road in the morning and at night time. We negotiated the wag-wagan / ukay-ukay where we got some prized finds. We bought some pasalubong food stuff at the Mountain Maid Training Center of the Good Sheperd. Dito maliban sa nabibili mo na ang original pasalubong stuff, you help send the Cordillera Youth through College each time you buy their products. We got a whiff of Baguio’s artistic flair and experience a Cordillera eco-village at Tam-awan Village.And of course, my Maia got her first, albeit ersatz, boat ride at the Burnham park. A cousin of mine also invited us for a gimmick at Brewyard in Nevada Square where his band, the Amber Moon, regularly performs.

Siyempre pa, walang katapat ang ginaw ng Baguio. Ni hindi ka pagpapawisan sa buong araw na gala. At kahit may panaka-nakang ambon at pag-ulan hindi namin alintana ito sa aming mga lakad. Maganda rin ang nakuha naming accomodation sa penthouse ng Baguio Condotel. Spacious and very comfy at kumpleto ito sa mga kagamitan lalo na sa kusina. Kaya kadalasan, nagluluto na lang kami for our dinner. May malawak din na balcon ang penthouse overlooking Burnham Park. Dito kami nagrerelax at nagkakape al fresco after a day’s pasyal.

Nothing much has changed in Baguio, except of course for the SM mall. From where it stands, that SM mall imposes its presence upon the verdant landscape of Baguio like a sore thumb, nay, like a poisonous mushroom. Ngunit habang nanatili ang heavenly climate ng Baguio, ang mga lumang buildings at iba pang places of interests nito, ang mayamang indigenous culture nito, mananatiling Baguio ito ng aking masasayang ala-ala. Ganun din sana ang magiging ala-ala ng aming mga anak.

Baguio, hanggang sa susunod nating pag-uulayaw.

Agbiyag ti Baguio!