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Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Archbishop steps up word war against guv
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- The word war waged by Kidapawan Archbishop Romulo Valles and his supporters against local leaders in North Cotabato shifted to higher gear with the church people accusing Gov. Emmanuel Piņol of abuse of power.
Valles's group is seeking an audience with the media to detail the "systematic use and abuse of power" resorted to by the governor and his brothers.
The group, which calls itself Kutabateņo Alang sa Maayong Panggubyerno (Kalampag), said the governor used "discretionary and recommendatory powers" in making false and baseless accusations against Chief Inspector Alexander Tagum.
His act resulted in the relief of Tagum as Kidapawan police chief last August.
The church group also accused the Piņols of being abusive.
It scored the involvement of the governor's brother, Ferdinand, in the mauling of several civilians in M'lang last September.
Also, the group said another brother, Bernardo Jr., waylaid and mauled one Carlito Jimenea, alias Boyet Callado, at dawn of May 6.
The governor, however, denied all accusations hurled against him.
He said he never recommended the relief of Chief Insp. Alexander Tagum as Kidapawan police chief.
He said his recommendation was for Tagum to be temporarily assigned outside Kidapawan City after the bemedalled police officer was accused of abducting a certain Alvin Valdez last July 16.
Piņol said the National Bureau of Investigation found prima facie evidence against Tagum and had filed charges of trespass to dwelling and illegal arrest against the police chief.
He said he is now working for an amicable settlement between Tagum and the abducted victim's family.
Piņol said he is wondering why the group accused him of violating the rights of the relieved police officer "when they had conveniently forgotten that there is one human being, Alvin Valdez, whose right to live as a free man has been violated."
Until now, Valdez's body was nowhere to be found.
On his brother's alleged involvement in the M'lang incident, Piņol said he never condoned his brother's involvement in the mauling and injury of several civilians in the governor's hometown.
The governor said this was the main reason for his taking a month-long leave from office so as to avoid influencing the police investigation on the incident.
Bishop Valles, however, said despite Piņol's leave, the governor is still very much around and is constantly heard over the radio convincing the people that the church group's accusations against him are nothing but public persecution.
Valles said he is open to a dialogue with Piņol but not at this point in time.
In Tuesday's press conference of the alliance of civil societies in Cotabato Province known as Kalampag, Valles said he is just waiting for the right time to have a tete-a-tete with Piņol.
The bishop said his reluctance stemmed from his fear that Piņol might use their meeting as one of his "promotional" tactics to mislead the people of North Cotabato into believing all is well between the two of them.
Valles said such a notion would then be counterproductive to their goal of "building an atmosphere wherein victims (of the atrocities committed by the Piņols and their cohorts) would be bold enough to stand up and voice out their woes".
Piņol, however, criticized the bishop for his innuendos imputing on him a hidden agenda in his appeal for a dialogue.
"Would you imagine a bishop thinking that way? Why would he impute something (evil) on me," Piņol said.
He said he is merely defending himself from the attacks of Valles and his group.
"What shall I do? They keep on attacking me. Don't I have the right to defend myself," Piņol said.
He added that he is willing to resign from his post if ever it is proven that another brother of his indeed waylaid and mauled Boyet Collado.
"I have heard many great lies in my lifetime but this claim by Collado takes the cake. It is terrifying because with the help of two lawyers, Collado's statement was believed by the Bishop of Kidapawan," Piņol said.
"If former congressman Gregorio Andolana and his associates can fabricate this lie against my brother and my family how much more against the ordinary person who does not have the capability and the means to defend himself," the governor added.
Piņol accused Andolana of masterminding the attacks against him and his family.
He said it would be the people of Cotabato who will have the last say on the issue.
"Ang problema nila ngayon (Their problem now) is I am more believable and the people believe me," he added.
Piņol is set to seek the help of Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Fernando Capalla to mediate in the brewing word war between him and Bishop Valles.
Piņol said he is drafting a letter to send to Archbishop Capalla asking the CBCP president to intercede and arrange a dialogue between him (governor) and Valles.
He said he had long wanted to meet Bishop Valles and talk with him to thresh out their differences on several issues.
Piņol said Valles turned down his appeal and continued criticizing him in his pastoral letters without even giving him the chance to give his side.
(October 6, 2004 issue)
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