By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
cowards. ”
One early morning last week, as we were driving up Marcos Highway, we were taken aback by the sight of soldiers around a military truck which got stalled. Two or three of them were trying to repair the front underparts of the vehicle. Then we noticed what appeared to be a coffin on the truck covered by a Philippine Flag.
Must be one of the Cordilleran cops or soldiers who died in Marawi. But what a way to transport the body of a fallen supposed hero. Why on a dirty truck? It must have been the hero’s last long trip. At the very least, he deserved a flashy limousine ride. But, well, we are in a pitiful country.
The only consolation might be the announced benefits that the families of the fallen Marawi veterans will receive—P2 million, a budget for a livelihood project, educational benefits for the kids, in addition to the usual monthly pension. While these cannot replace the life of a person, at least the bereaved families will not be dirt poor.
It will always be heartbreaking to see a dead cop or soldier, or anybody for that matter, being transported, yet we have to get used to it in the Cordillera. For Cordillerans are by nature warriors. Many young men will be attracted to the military or the police force. Every year, there are now many Cordillerans graduating from the Philippine Military Academy and every year the most number of cadets at the Philippine National Police Academy are from the National Capital Region (with about 20 million people) but coming in close second are those from the Cordillera Administrative Region with only a few millions of population. By demographic ratio, therefore, the Cordillera Administrative Region is producing the most number of PNP cadets.
Thus, now you can meet high ranking Cordilleran police officers anywhere in the country. Remember that internationally famous officer (Police Superintendent Byron Allatog) for his very good performance as police chief in Bogo City, Cebu? He is from Bontoc, Mountain Province. On the other end of the spectrum was the police chief inspector whose surname is Dongail (that surname is from either Sagada or Besao, Mtn. Prov.) who was convicted for kidnapping for ransom somewhere in the Visayas. He is now a kingpin at the Muntinlupa penitentiary.
About 75% of the country’s Special Action Force are from the Cordillera, thus, of the 44 commandos who died in Mamasapano the other year, 13 were from this region.
About 75% also of the Special Action Force that are now guarding the Muntinlupa National Penitentiary are from the Cordillera.
Considering the bravery of Cordilleran cops and soldiers, they will always be in the firing line. For sure, they don’t die cowards.
So when you stray outside this region, chances are you can find a high ranking police officer in major towns. So while we are still a minority in this country, when it comes to the police force, we are a majority.**
