Today’s Views

Rep. Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, if we recalled, has been declared “persona non grata” by the Lumad organizations — namely Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon, PASAKA Confederation of Lumads, Karadyawan and Kasilo — for her unbecoming conduct and uncalled for acts against the Lumad evacuees earlier this week.

All the events and incidents that have since unfolded before our very eyes eloquently affirm the Hitlerian nature of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The streets were filled with posters, streamers and red flags from more than ten thousand people who paid their tribute to Leoncio Pitao popularly known as Kumander Parago Sandoval or Tatay for the people of Paquibato District.

Every society needs an establishment whose prime responsibility and duty is the protection of its citizens, its territory, its government, and everything that pertains to its preservation and integrity as a nation-state.

Peace for the masses is the kasili (river eel) that they have endlessly dreamed and sought for— to hold and catch—to eliminate the hunger they have endured for centuries.

At this point of your departure, thank you very much for the time wholeheartedly, boldly and untiringly spent with the people; respect for the human worth and dignity (guided by IHL) and to the pursuit of national and social liberation

After 37 years in struggle, you are finally laid to rest.

Indeed, the masses, in their naivete, just sigh out in silence their miserable query “why do the calamities always hit the poor and spare the rich”?

He was their favorite villain. Portrayed as a sinister symbol, he was pursued in ways mostly vicious. He was demonized like no other.

In order to render full worth and justice to the death of Kumander Parago, we stop at nothing to let the blossoming of creative expressions that rightfully celebrate his life and passion on the path of revolutionary struggle.