THE last political ilustrado of his generation, Rafael Lazatin is remembered for two things: a stubborn and fearless leadership and his passion for peace and order.
This brand of politics marked his personal and public life. His third memorable virtue was his genuine sincerity to those seeking his help. He would accompany a job seeker, a government employee contesting a promotion, a teacher who wanted a transfer and young politicians who sought Party recognition.
He used his personal car to take a fellow to wherever it was needed.
After WW (world war) 2 the province and the rest of Central Luzon convulsed in agrarian unrest and rebellion. Landowners and propertied clans, with kin murdered by the Huks, left Pampanga for a life of ease and security in Metro Manila.
Lazatin preferred to stay in Angeles. He chose to make peace with or fight the organized agitators. He risked his life for making himself a role model of a landowner who was not afraid of the Huks and outlaws.
It was during these dangerous times when he was elected Governor. The new leader was passionate about peace and order as the requisite condition for progress and development.
His focused on agricultural productivity.
The crusader for peace linked up with the Commanding Generals of the First Military Area then PC who supported his peace initiatives with the Huks. Veteran newsmen remember them -- Brigadier General (BG) Nicanor Velarde, BG Benjamin Molina, BG Ricardo Papa and PC Chief Isagani Campo.
He impressed Pampangos by going around the province without bodyguards, his personal security the least of his concern. Convinced that Governor Lazatin was truly a man of peace, he won the hearts and minds of the radicalized populace. He has become the godfather and sponsor of countless weddings and baptisms, mostly from socialista dissidents and Huk families. His term saw the least political and land dispute-related killings.
Lazatin was a lead figure in the organization of a religious movement under the late Bishop Cesar Guerrero, thus entered the icon Virgen de los Remedios in the people's lives, sweeping the countryside in spiritual transformation, in spreading the concept of brotherhood and love among the people.
Soon after the inaugural and coronation of the Virgen de los Remedio as Patroness of Pampanga at the Capitol with Lazatin as one of the lay sponsors, the flame of adoration and charity spread all over Pampanga.
The people found their ultimate patroness in the “Birhen” and a staunch Protector of peace in Lazatin who was frequently seen in barrio processions of the Virgin.
Lazatin was the city mayor of Angeles during the middle years of the Marcos regime. He was known to enforce the law without fear or favor. His image as a stubborn implementer of city ordinances and executive orders inculcated public discipline as a way of life.
He was devoted to his duties. His inspection tours on the city markets shocked recidivist street vendors whose goods he had confiscated. He ordered the dismantling of meat shops which were not refrigerated and donated the haul to the city jail. The prisoners and detainees said special prayer on his birthday.
He was fearless in enforcing traffic regulations. In a traffic altercation with an officer of the local League of Lawyers, sensing the lawyer was holding a handgun; he went down his car and smashed the car windshield of the violator with his rattan walking cane. His damaging cane was his substitute for a side arm, which law violators had learned to fear.
A peace and order crusader in or outside of elective office "fought" invariably with Governor Jose Lingad of southern Pampanga and Gov. Francisco Nepomuceno of Angeles. Lingad sowed fear with his dreaded civilian guards. Nepomuceno waged a running political battle against him.
At the height of the Beatles-Monkey war with Angeles as the battle field, the city mayor was warlord Nepomuceno, once an ally then a nemesis of Huk Kumander Sumulong. Mayor Nepo usually went around riding on a bullet proof armored car while residents saw Lazatin waving from a rickety calesa. When not locked in a political contest Nepo and Lazatin were known to engage in a word war.
Nepo died ahead of his bitter enemy. The old man, called Tatang Feleng,was usually seen by passers-by in a solitary chair at the balcony of the ancestral house on San Jose St. I learned he was often sad for missing his late antagonist.
My impression of the remarkable man is of the Lazatin house that has been kept open since ages. When I first came to Angeles that gate has not been closed, evident of the fact that Lazatin is a man of peace and fearlessness. Assassins could have had an easy way to his abode, but the gate was kept eternally open at all times.
Arguably his most tangible legacy are in heirs Tarzan Lazatin and his sister Vicky L. Vda. de Angeles (my former boss at the RCC). The couple was Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardee for Family of the Year.