Cesar's convictions
By Carlos Isagani T. Zarate

"VERY straining," was how longtime Davao legal luminary Cesar Europa described the weeks presidential candidate Raul Roco was in the United States for medical treatment. "It was very hard on all of us, both physically and emotionally," he said.

Europa's lament is understandable: he is Roco's coordinator for Southern Mindanao. Europa's kidney transplant last year has not prevented him from overseeing the campaign activities of the former education secretary and his slate. This is in fact his second time to coordinate Roco's presidential campaign in the region. The "working relationship" dates back more than two decades ago, when Roco served as the national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Europa represented Eastern Mindanao in the IBP Board of Governors.

In anticipation of Roco's return and resumption of his presidential bid, Europa, a non-politician, wrote his fellow volunteers last week, urging them to be steadfast in the midst of an avalanche of forecast that the presidential race has been trimmed down to a fight between President Macapagal-Arroyo and actor Fernando Poe. Jr.

Europa's letter goes: "Together, the Roco volunteers all over the country have, in fact, been able to accomplish an impossible task. On a shoestring budget, we have been able to mount a credible nationwide campaign. In most instances we have become accustomed to the phrase 'we will make do with what we have' and, on a grand scale, Make Do We Have.

"People have asked why, they have also asked how? The answer can be said in a word: Faith. We have been working not for fame, fortune, or even gratitude. We have been doing what we have been doing and achieving what we have achieved because we believe in what we are fighting for. We believe that our country needs Change, that our nation needs Hope, that our people need Honest And Effective Leadership. We have shouted to the masses that Raul Roco is the man who can give us this change, this hope, this leadership.

"Our detractors are now saying: 'Give up, It is Hopeless.' They say that we should shift our allegiance to a 'winnable candidate.' But is this the nature of our Faith? Is our conviction in what we believe in this shallow? I do not need a response for I know that I will receive a resounding NO!!

"Together, we began this endeavor because of what we believe in and that Has Not Changed. Our country still needs change, still needs hope, and still needs effective honest leadership and Raul Roco is Still the Man for the Job.

"This is why I do not hesitate to ask what others say is unthinkable. Yes, the chips are down but I know and believe that we can still prevail because we are fighting for what is good, what is right, and what is true. Call me naive, but I still have FAITH. I am but a part in the machine as we are all but I humbly ask all of you now to take heart and to continue to fight the good fight. We may be down but we are definitely not out. Let us show our nation that truly, May Pag-asa Pa."

Europa's optimism is not diminished by the fact that Roco's group of volunteers is pitted against the well-oiled machinery of the other candidates. In Davao City, for instance, President Macapagal's votes are being marshaled by tough-talking Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Rep. Prospero Nograles, erstwhile political arch-enemies, now running under the so-called Unity Ticket. Meanwhile, erstwhile Duterte ally, former Mayor Benjamin de Guzman, who is riding on the anti-corruption issue and the unsolved summary executions perpetrated by the Davao Death Squad (DDS), is carrying FPJ.

"We are undaunted despite the odds," Europa said. Hope springs eternal. The Filipinos will redeem themselves.

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In the run-up to the May 10 elections, the municipality of Laac, Compostela Valley province has seen the deaths of three more members of Bayan Muna, raising to 40 the number of the the party-list group's casualties nationwide. Around 3 p.m. last April 24, Charlie Mandaya Davao, Ganadi Pinamaylan and Charlie Utag, all lumads, were eating in a carinderia some 25 meters away from the town's police station. Suddenly, without warning, three armed men in plain clothes shot them to death. Minutes later, army soldiers belonging to the 60th Infantry Battalion, led by a certain 2nd Lt. Salcedo, joined them and strafed the carinderia, causing injuries to some bystanders, witnesses claimed.

The AFP reported that the three victims were killed in an encounter between the army and the New People's Army. Three other companions of the victims, including Datu Davao Barangay Captain Alex Aydao, are still missing.

Curiously, last April 29, while the incident was being investigated, Laac police station commander Insp. George Torres and another companion were gunned down by elements of the army's 60th IB inside a store near the police station.

The twin-incident resulted in the pulling out of the 60th IB from the locality, following protests made by enraged local officials and residents.

In the '80s, Laac rose to national prominence when the local chapter of the IBP (during the succeeding terms of lawyers Dionisio dela Serna, who was appointed housing czar during the Ramos administration, and Europa) exposed countless human rights violations by the AFP in the area, particularly the forcible herding of residents into Vietnam-style hamlets. A fact-finding commission then headed by retired Supreme Court Justice JBL Reyes went to Laac and confirmed the IBP expos‚. More than two decades later, Laac is once again gripped by fear.

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