Tabuk, Kalinga. The more than 637 kilometers long drive or more than ten (10) long and seemingly endless travel from Manila to Tuguegarao City did not dampen the spirits of the CHR Fact-Finding Team led by the Commission’s Officer-in-Charge Quintin B. Cueto, lll, Commissioner Wilhelm D. Soriano, Atty. Flora Atilano, Atty. Stephen Cascolan, along with the Legal and Investigation Department’s energetic staff, Dr. Reynante Basas and Dr. Arnel Amata, personnel from the NGO, Civil Society and Media Cooperation Office (NCSMCO) and a bunch of dependable, ever reliable drivers to conduct a Public Inquiry in Tabuk, Kalinga.

The dangerous travel from Manila to Tuguegarao with its long, terrain, winding roads with deep ravines on both sides, and steep mountain slopes does not end there. The CHR Fact-Finding Team needed to travel for at least one (1) more hour to reach Tabuk. And the `catch’ is even greater. Tabuk, if one should believe the public’s perception is considered a `no man’s land.’ The place, so they say, is so `unsafe’ that even the CHR Team’s marine escorts provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the local AFP escort based in Cagayan plus a number of PNP personnel who escorted the Commission representatives could not help but sigh as the convoy crossed deserted, mountainous places and areas nobody dared to go because of its notoriety. To describe it bluntly: “Bundok dito, bundok doon, puro bundok saan ka man tumingin at walang katao-tao.”

“Eto ang lugar kung saan maraming inaambus at hinoholdap. In fact, marami na kaming kasamahan na napatay dito, “ our security escort from Cagayan casually volunteered, each time we reached certain areas which naturally brought chilling effect on us. Nonetheless, the Team was there to carry an all-important mission: to conduct a Public Hearing particularly on the killings of Noel Gubiangan and Elmer Gallema, as well as an Investigation on the case of Spouses Constancio “Chando” and Alice Claver. There was no turning back and as we often say with courage: `this is a job for the CHR’. Backing off from the Herculean task never crossed our minds. Ever.

In Tabuk, representatives from CHR Central Office were accompanied by Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Director Atty. Russel Ma-ao and Region 2 Director Jimmy Baliga and their respective staff. A day before the Public

Inquiry, the Team visited the Tabuk Provincial Jail for a scheduled interview with two (2) prime witnesses on the alleged slaying of Gubiangan and Gallema. The duo, one the brother and the other a friend of the victims, were with the same back-to-back Police vehicle en route to their destinations when the reported `salvaging’ occurred. According to the Police authorities who had custody of the suspects, Gubiangan and Gallema allegedly tried to escape by jumping off from the running police car but unfortunately were run over by a speeding dumped truck. The Police officers said they tried to give chase but failed to track down the identity of the driver and passengers of the said garbage truck. “ Inuna po naming tingnan ang mga akusadong nasagasaan. Para po silang sako, “ the police officials repeatedly told the CHR Investigating Team during the Public Hearing. But of course, the witnesses had their own stories to tell. “Pinasagasaan po nila ang kapatid ko nang paulit-ulit at nang masiguro na hindi pa patay, itinapat sa ulo ang gulong ng truck at nakarinig kami ng `pok’ bilang tanda ng pagkabasag ng ulo niya,” the two witnesses confessed.

After taking the witnesses’ deposition, the Team proceeded to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga for a surprise visitation as part of the mission. In fairness, the place is spacious for the well-behaved prisoners, well-ventilated rooms, complete with their own `makeshift’ comfort rooms. Surely, a far cry from the congested, and poor jail conditions in Metro Manila.

CHR group’s next stop over was the residence of the Clavers. The Claver spouse’s story became sensational as the death of Alice, the wife, and the serious injury suffered by her husband, Dr. Constancio ‘Chando’ Claver, was allegedly due to the couple’s affiliation with progressive group, Bayan Muna.

The tale was full of tragedy. Of pain. Of confusion. And the couple’s great love for each other. It was a broad daylight ambush, alright complete with bizarre co-incidences as to the presence or the absence of police authorities. The CHR Fact-Finding Investigation can dwell on that later in case the Claver relatives, especially the surviving doctor would want to pursue the case against the suspected perpetrators of the crime. But what struck the members of the CHR contingent was how the late Mrs. Claver showed courage and faithfulness to her husband, “till death do us part…”

As Elizabeth Browning would ask … “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” “Noong binaril si Dok, ibinarandal ni Alice ang sarili niya para siya ang sumalo ng mga bala na obviously ay para kay Chando,” a relative said obviously moved by the witnesses account of the ambush.

“How do I love thee, let me count the ways… “ “Nakuha pa ni Alice na magpunta sa gilid ng sasakyan para barilin ang mga salarin…” another family member butt in.

“How do I love thee, let me count the ways…” “At nang ginagamot na si Alice, siya pa ang nagsabi sa mga attending physicians na unahin gamutin ang asawa niya without knowing na mas malala at critical ang tama niya,” the words were uttered almost in a whisper.

Dr. Claver is now recuperating in Manila. He miraculously survived the bullets peppered by the still unknown assailants primarily because of the undying love and devotion by his wife. But more than the physical injuries he sustained because of the unfortunate and tragic incident, he may never learn to forget the one-of-a-kind gesture displayed by the woman he married. Ms. Claver will never be able to see her two young kids anymore. One of them was with the couple and seated at the back of the driver’s seat when the tragic moment happened.

Surely, Ms. Claver’s death is a classic example of a woman’s undying devotion for her better half. It was inspiring. It was unbelievable. But it was a tragic event full of beautiful and meaningful memories not only to the surviving spouse but throughout those people who knew the Clavers for a long time. In the meantime, the Commission is looking into all possible angles and theories that may lead to the resolution of Ms. Claver’s killing. At least four theories are considered by the CHR Investigating Team before they can clearly point that the death of the late woman was indeed politically motivated.

The day following the investigation, the Commission on Human Rights, led by Officer-in-Charge Commissioner Quintin B. Cueto, lll and Commissioner Wilhelm D. Soriano officially started its Public Inquiry. The venue was the second floor of the Sanggunian ng Lalawigan Session Hall, Tabuk, Kalinga. Invited resource persons included the alleged mastermind of `salvaging’ and other human rights violations (HRVs) i.e. Police Director Pedro Ramos, who informed the honorable Commission that he filed a leave of absence to give way to an independent probe, Psupt. Roberto Damian, who momentarily in place for the beleaguered Ramos, PO1 Gary Silawon, operative of Task Force Police Station, PSI Charles Domallig of the Tabuk Police Station. They did what they had to do in accordance to their job, Police Director Ramos said. The suspects were engaged in unlawful activities such as cattle rustlings, robberies, hold-ups, among others. They were criminal elements, and what happened that night was purely accidental, the police officers added.

The whole proceedings went on smoothly with nary a single incidence of violence or violent reactions from both the resource persons as well as the gallery. The subpoenaed officials who were invited to shed light on the allegations thrown their way were all cooperative while the audience listened intently to what they (the resource persons) had to say.

At the later part of the proceedings, Kalinga Governor Dominador T. Belac, Sr. , Vice-Governor Rommel V. Diasen, Provincial Administrator Henry Gupa-al, Tabuk Mayor Camilo T. Lammawin were given their respective chance to appear and to sit before the CHR Commissioners and lawyers who conducted the Public Hearing. Everyone subpoenaed were given their day to say their `piece’ at the Public Inquiry. After all, as OIC Commissioner Cueto rightly pointed out, the CHR Fact-Finding Team’s presence should not be misconstrued as `accusing’ but simply gathering facts, monitoring/investigating, and issue its independent findings via Advisories. The day ended peacefully.

It was the chance of the victims’ relatives to appear before the Commission the next day. Tension from the Session Hall was quite felt. Understandably so for seating In the complainant’s area was the mother of one of the victims. The room was full of emotion. An interpreter was needed since Ms. Gallema, mother of Noel, did not know how to speak in `Tagalog’. A

President of the local Rotary Club volunteered that they `live in fear’ because of the presence of PD Ramos whose style in silencing criminals was heard far and wide. At this juncture, the man was assured by the CHR officials that the essence of the Commission’s mission in Kalinga is to bring back the peaceful environment since this is what human rights is all about.

Despite the sadness displayed by the victims’ relatives as well as the sympathizers of the deceased, light moments were shared by the complainants and the Commissioners themselves. Laughter and chuckles filled the room as Commissioner Soriano voluntarily shared his and OIC Cueto’s cell phone numbers to an old lady and advised her to contact them whenever she needs assistance from the CHR. Jokingly, the amiable and accommodating CHR top

officials told the woman that she can even use the calling card as ticket for her trip to Manila which brought a big s8881mile to the woman’s lips. Obviously, heartaches were momentarily forgotten.

During the entire stay of the CHR representatives in the province of Kalinga, the group, especially the Commissioners were very much impressed by the hospitality and cooperation shown by the leaders in Tabuk as well as the townsfolk.

Most of the members of the Team were `first-timers’ in what the newspapers in Manila described as a dangerous place and that killings abound in the province. On the contrary, the Team felt safe and peace during their whole stay in Kalinga. For the CHR Commissioner who conducted the Public Inquiry there was an initial impression on the real situation of the peace and order in Kalinga. The condition thereat is more on the local front rather than national in scope.

As the Team headed for home, the hospitality and the niceties of the natives of Kalinga will forever linger in their hearts and minds. And yes, the Commission on Human Rights vowed that in the days to come, residents in Kalinga will be able to be proud of their hometown and savor the peace and quiet environment they truly deserve.

In the meantime, the CHR shall continue to conduct cases of human rights violations brought to its attention or by its `motu propio’ stance.

Surely, CHR Mission Teams’ battle cry in the quest for truth would be `Ain’t No Mountain High, Ain’t No River Wide… Ain’t No Place So Far…”