A Letter They Thought I'd Never Write

12 October 2005
(*** Undisclosed recipients. People in position and power hold a copy of this letter.)

Dear Sir,


It is indeed quite frustrating to have to meet under this very unfavorable circumstance. I address my concerns directly to you as I believe in my heart you have the jurisdiction to properly execute preventive measures for this kind of crime. I trust that our local authorities can and will provide the necessary assistance. I just regret that I have to shorten the channel of authority and directly bring this matter to your awareness in my greatest hope that I get justice.

I reached the entrance of San Antonio Village minutes later than my usual schedule. I passed by our village tanods, honked my horn at them as my routinary greeting and headed off to our block. I got off my car and lazily walked towards the other side of my car to check if I properly locked the doors. Just when my back was facing the main road and as I stood about 8 feet away from our house gate, I suddenly heard footsteps coming from behind. I was instantly on guard since the footsteps seemed to be approaching too fast towards my direction, seemingly running, sounding like bare feet tiptoeing on a tiny poddle of water. (Thank God for that evening rain!) I instantly turned around and caught sight of this person who I hardly distinguished, him being in black shirt, short maong shorts and black bonnet covering his whole face. Defenses up, I stretched out my arm and pointed at him while simultaneously shouting “O!..O!…O!” as if prodding him to stop and stay away from me. Unfortunately, that only caused the attacker to rattle and halt for a brief while. Perhaps, upon realizing he was only a few feet away from his goal, (presumably the bag clasped in my right hand), he just braved the distance and went after me anyway. He then attempted to grab my bag while he forced his left arm to apply strong grip on my left arm so I couldn’t maneuver my escape from his captivity. Right this very moment, I knew my last hope of defense was to struggle free and scream as loud as I can, hoping that I make noise disturbing enough to wake up my family and neighbors. This proved to be quite a success because right after I forced myself down to the ground to break away from his grip, he decided to flee as soon as street dogs started barking at the commotion. Then came my mom and the rest of our concerned relatives next door, the Quidatos. Yes, I fought like hell to ensure he wouldn’t get ANYTHING. Now we have one disappointed thief on the loose.

Why tell you this piece of seemingly uncomplicated crime when I have filed for report at the Antipolo Police Station? Simple. I just find it quite alarming that this man clearly came from within our own village and that he, apparently came from this dark tambayan, for lack of a better term, which is actually situated right across our house. I have no evidence to point a finger at anyone who hangs out in that place but needless to say, it has become a very inviting spot for this man to keep as hideout while he waited for my arrival. I mean, how convenient can it get right? The place was pitch black dark.

My point finally is to bring to your attention the need to abolish this tambayan as I don’t personally see it improving our own security when in fact it has proven to be detrimental to civilians like me. I still have not the slightest idea who my attacker was. However, I am CERTAIN ABOUT WHERE THE ATTACKER CAME FROM. If it continues to stand where it is right now, who knows when it will provoke another horrifying incident again? What lies beneath the pitch black dark corner is unknown to even the most careful resident of San Antonio Village. Until we finally catch who this perpetrator is, I don’t think it is worth keeping this hell-spot while putting our lives at stake, especially if in the first place, the open space where it stands is “village property.” This means, that no resident of our village should claim right to its use unless it is bought and properly documented for ownership.

There has been no valid reason apart from this incident that was strong enough to DISPLACE ANY VILLAGE GROUP as they have not done me or my family any harm and I do not wish that they be involved, or anyone for that matter, unless we have hard evidence against any suspect. Truth of the matter is, every resident in our village IS A SUSPECT. Clearing an area in the village that should remain as it is called “OPEN” will hopefully also eradicate any doubt with anyone who imposes settlement in this spot, that he or she has anything to do with any unjust attempt to steal, rob, let alone hurt a resident.

I have as well resorted to getting PNP attention (identities of whom I would rather not disclose at this point), apart from the remarkable support from Antipolo Local Authorities, SPO1 Tariman and his colleagues. Prompt responsive efforts of the latter, I truly recognize with highest commendation. Strong ties with MEDIA people prove to be very comforting as well.

In the meantime, I embrace my faith in your good office and believe even better that this request will be graciously accommodated. If we do not deal with this now, how many other lives will be put at stake? The most hurtful part is knowing that we cannot even be safe in the very town, let alone village, we call home. With your power though, there could be hope.

As individuals, we all have our rights to security, but above and beyond that, a RIGHT TO LIVE.

This, however is my CLAIM to PEACE. If you cannot give it to me or the rest of your constituents, I don’t know who else will. That leaves us I guess, to adhering to whatever evil force awaits your family and mine and leaving a hard imprint on the minds of criminals out there, that “Hey! It is alright to do crime.”

You and I can only do so much to battle evil. Your action will have an impact for sure. The rest, we just have to leave with God, who sees everything beyond this letter, and behind your every action.

I’m still slightly shaken. I have cuts and scratches on my left arm to nurse. Perhaps, I’ll still be loose at the seams the next days but I will be stitching myself back together. They will heal in time. A community will need more than overnight to be redeemed from the hands of morally sick people who exist in the midst of us.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
I trust you have a remarkable answer, sir.