Sunday, November 11, 2007 Editorial: 'War' in Escalante
UNKNOWN to many, there's a "never-ending war" happening in Escalante City. And this is between Mayor Biboy Yap and Vice Mayor MaiMai Barcelona.
Evidence on this is the shooting incident in Barangay Libertad in the said city Thursday night, killing two people, one a son of a barangay chief and the other one was among the 17 alleged armed attackers.
Digging deeper on the issue, one could sense that the motive of the incident was purely political.
This, as the supposed target of the attack was barangay chief Fernando Damalerio while the attackers were identified as men of a certain George Espada.
Damalerio is known to be a political ally of Barcelona and Espada is identified with Yap.
Other than politics, probers from Escalante City Police office and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office are no longer entertaining any angles.
Noppo Director Rosendo Franco, however, said he wants the final report before commenting on the issue.
But the Damalero-Espada case is one among the many that already happened in Escalante City especially before, during and after the May 14, 2007 national and local elections.
And based on police investigation, cases of killing in Escalante were mostly traced to the political rift between Yap and Barcelona. The two have been tagged "bitter" enemies in Escalante City ever since.
But why can't both put an end to their rift?
Why could they not settle peacefully and work together for the betterment of Escalante City?
I think both Yap and Barcelona should review the history of their city, which
is known for the Escalante massacre during the Marcos era.
But during the incumbency of Barcelona as mayor of Escalante for nine straight years (1998 to 2007), Escalante bounced back and became one of the progressive cities in northern Negros.
Escalante then was dubbed as home to religious people and declared as one of the sports adventure hubs in the province because of its many beautiful caves.
It is also known for its Gawad Kalinga housing project, among others.
But with the present Yap-Barcelona war, one could expect another setback in the City's tourism and investment promotions including the peace and order.
Although, there's already a move on the part of the City Council to immediately put Escalante under military control, yet Gov. Joseph Maranon is against it.
The governor is right. There's no need for the military to intervene on the matter.
The only solution is for Yap and Barcelona to talk and pacify their respective
people so as to put an end on the killings in Escalante.
If both won't sit down and talk about peace and unity, then one can say that "doomsday" is in the offing in Escalante City.
If this happens, everything will be in contrast with the city's battle cry: Abante Escalante!
