ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST

Backward

Following the destruction of the abaca industry in Davao due to the massive Allied and Japanese aerial offensives during World War II, lands retained after the conflict by the gov-ernment from seized assets erstwhile lease to the foreigners, were shifted to ramie, a plant na-tive to China, which was introduced in the country in 1930.

The idea of planting ramie caught the fancy of the government which promised to fund its cultivation. During the Magsaysay watch, the support for its cultivation was made more significant by loans extended to farmers who organized themselves into coop-like organiza-tions. The leader of the pack at the time was Davao Ramie Textile, Inc. (DARATEX), in Da-liao, Toril.

DARATEX, prior to World War II, was part of the sprawling Furukawa hemp planta- tion, one of the largest Japanese investments in Davao district.

On August 10, 1955, the Tagum Tillers Company of Davao led by Rafael Torres, its presi-dent, visited President Ramon Magsaysay in Malacañang. They sought assistance for funding in the shift from abaca to ramie so they could pay the remaining P160,000 account the group had obtained from the stateowned Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC). The president told the visitors he favored the shift “with a view to attaining self-sufficiency of textiles in this country.”

Magsaysay later issued Executive Order No. 129 on September 23, 1955, “designating the Agricultural Credit and Cooperative Financing Administration (ACCFA) as the government agency to handle the purchase and exportation of of sorts, if the situation is not promptly addressed..

Police authorities appear to be blowing hot and cold as they carefully clear the “chaff from the grain,” picking up hard lessons from the Lapid slay case where the legal procedures and determination have dragged on like a headless chicken running in multi-directions.

These killings are not ordinary crimes, to begin with.

Powerful and moneyed people looking to liquidate their mortal enemies could be the perpetrators and masterminds.

How else can one bring together a band of cold-blooded killers and guns for hire if one does not have money and power?

With power, one exercises authority over people and subordinates.

With money, one can ensure he gets the best men, services and materials.

The ICC must be watching over our shoulders now, curiously looking if our justice system is really functioning.

Have the government authorities set their own deadline to solve these big-time killings?

If they don’t, the public might presume they (the authorities) are facing a blank wall.

If not, why are they acting like a slow poke?

The Alameda family said so, that the police were too slow in catching the Vice-Mayor’s assaillants.

Gov. Adiong’s ambusher have not been clearly identified and arrested. Are there any new concrete leads to this day?.

Are they waiting for the President to issue special and specific orders so that whatever move they do will carry the weight of a presidential imprimatur?

These violent attacks, killings and ambushes - particularly the Degamo assassination - are testing the credibility and capability of the PNP.. Quo vadis, Sir DG Azurin? (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!