THE first time she appeared on national television, she looked like she was doused with icy cold water. Clumps of damp hair framed her pale, sullen, pretty face. When Ligaya faced the cameras she stared right through the lens and TV screen and seemingly disconnected with her plea to seek justice for the murder.

GRIEF. No one had to ask Ligaya how she felt about the gruesome murder of her husband (then) Loreto mayor Dario Otaza and son, Daryl. She wore sorrow like a glove that draped her from head to toe.

Dario Otaza had just filed his certificate of candidacy when he was abducted and executed by the NPAs in October 2015. It should have been his second term and was running unopposed. On his first term as mayor, Dario Otaza, a Manobo and a former NPA, became an outspoken critic of the NPA and was said to have encouraged around 250 rebels, most of whom were Manobos, to surrender to the government.

While Dario devoted his time to improve the municipality of Loreto, Ligaya, Otaza’s wife of 30 years tended to hearth and home. But Ligaya was not the typical housewife. She met Dario Otaza when they were both with the NPA -- her being in the “white” area and him at the “red.” It was only after getting married that Ligaya became a “simple” housewife.

But since Dario’s death, Ligaya found her life to be atypical again as she became the mayor and was thrust to face the ruthless world of politics all her lonesome. And it has not been easy. With a special child, Dandan and a daughter, Kimberly who was also reeling from the loss of her first child, Ligaya had her hands full.

In 2016, Ligaya, the mayor was thrust into the limelight again as the military hauled P13-million worth of marijuana plants from Kasapa I at the hinterlands of Loreto. During the interview, Ligaya bereft of emotions, admitted that some of the lumads “have turned to growing marijuana instead of rice and corn because of the difficulties of transporting their produce.” The admission startled some but raised an important issue of the neglect the lumads have continually suffered in a lot of areas in Mindanao.

As an effect, the Masamasid program of the PDEA has intensified in Loreto, Agusan Sur and several farm-to-market roads have been improved.

Her leadership has also prompted seedling distribution, poultry and livestock livelihood, and a very aggressive improvement of schools.

Grief has not really abandoned Ligaya. It hounds her endlessly but love, that force that propelled her to fall for the warrior that was Dario, has become the fuel for the widow’s rage to continue to struggle for peace and prosperity in Loreto.