The Martyrs of Taysan
Taysan, Batangas — On May 15th, around 3 am in the morning, at least five armed men stormed into the Pinagbayan Elementary School and set fire to the ballot boxes that engulfed the rest of the school in fire as well.
In this fire, teacher Nellie Banaag and poll watcher Leticia Ramos died. Another victim, Guillermo Malaluan, after succumbing to the injuries and wounds, died six days after the fire. These three remain as yet another set of heroes in The Philippine Midterm elections of 2007.
THE DETAILS
Masked and armed men—believed to be members of the PNP Special Operations Group in Batangas and who were identified with reelectionist Mayor Hernando Villena—fired guns and set fire to the school before dawn last Tuesday just after the canvassing of the votes ended. Banaag and Ramos died in the fire. The most probable motive at the moment is that the torching was made in order to have the voting in the town declared a failure of election.
Villena, who lost in his reelection bid, was considered a suspect for being the possible mastermind.
Last Wednesday, May 23, police formally charged members of Calabarzon Police Special Operations Group for the burning of the school in Taysan.
Those who were charged with the fire were Inspector Roberto Marinda, SPO2 William Relos, both of the RSOG Batangas Team, and six other suspects.
According to the principal of the school, Banaag and Ramos took cover inside a small toilet in one of the classrooms when they heard the gunshots. They were trapped and could not get out when surrounding classrooms erupted in fire.
Banaag leaves her husband Galileo and their children Bernadette, Michelle and Galileo Jr.. And Ramos leaves her husband and nine children.
Among the many honors given to the family of Banaag, the most meaningful maybe the fact that the new school to be rebuilt, will be renamed The Nellie Banaag School.
Police Inspect the school
Closing Thoughts
One can only imagine, the thoughts racing through the minds of Banaag and Ramos, as they heard the gunshots, and dashed for the restroom. As they realized the school was burning, what could they have done? There must have been a moment, in that little room, knowing that the fire was nearing, that they made the decision to try to escape. But when finally caught in the surrounding fire and extreme heat, did they know that their fate were sealed?
In that last and painful breath, as fire burned skin and the rest of their bodies, I have to believe that our dear lord took them away in as fast a movement, as those armed men stormed into that school.
Death was the result that night.
For those who masterminded this inhuman act, to derail the democratic process, which resulted in the murder of three individuals, I hope that justice will be served and you are all prosecuted to the full extent of the law… and then some… It is sickening that these evil souls would think themselves worthy enough of public service, when they do not even know the true meaning of service in the first place.
But this article is not about politics, it is not about politicians, it is not even about The Philippines. It is about right and wrong, the battle of good versus evil, and the fight for a true democracy. And in The Philippines, no matter where we are in our history, we can always say, that amidst a few rotten citizens, officials, and politicians, there are those who stand up and follow their conscience, despite the risk upon their own lives.
And so, yet another election has passed, with more dead, in the fight for democracy. Three martyrs of Taysan will be remembered. In the weeks to come, combing through all the stories that have unfolded this election season, I hope we realize that democracy is not an easy task to accomplish, and it involves individuals such as these, to make it happen.
I am very angry. This lawlessness has got to stop. Torching, setting afire a school causing the deaths of innocent victims is a crime that is heinous, one begins to despair if ever there will be an end to this hopeless lawlessness.
That the police were the ones that did it magnified that crime several times.
These men, these so-called officers of the law should and must be punished, they must be kept in prison till the day they die.
I am sorry for the family and children left behind by the murdered teachers
@A De Brux,
It really is a sad fact, that the sanctity of the ballot, and of human life, is disregarded for the political gain of these corrupt officials…
I was born and study in Taysan, Batangas during my younger days. I was always proud of the people of Mabayabas, because of their help and encouragement, I was able to study in Manila and later migrated to the USA. When I first read the event that happened in the school, I was sicked in my stomach and could not believed that things like this can happen in a decent town like Taysan. I’m always pround to be from Taysan. I have done much for the town, but I can start and thinking of things I can do to help.
Hope things will get better for all the citizens of Taysan.
di lahat ng lugar sa taysan ay magulo tulad nito
I’m the sister inlaw of Nelly Banaag.I’m here in NYC and work as a nurse.Umtil now…It’s still painful for me to remember how brutally she died.Everytime I remember her I can’t help not to cry.She is like a sister to me.And her relationship with my brother is wonderful.I just ask prayers for her soul and also for Mrs.Ramos….My responsiblity to her children is so big after we lost her.
@Joy, I know, as is the case with many parts of The Philippines. and I’m sure, under normal circumstances, this specific school was as safe as any other school.. But such is the case when elections take place, and the power struggle spills to the innocent, and death is the ultimate result. I am not in any way trying to paint Tysan as a place of chaos. On the contrary, I am painting Taysan as a place full of promise, especially when it is inhabited by such individuals who died on that fateful day..
@Cynthia, I can only offer my condolence. This specific tragedy, along with that of the murder of Musa Dimasidsing took a lot out of me. The promise of an election, was brutally shaken, as the deaths of these individuals filled my mind. My prayers were definitely with Nelly and Mrs. Ramos, and i can only imagine your own sacrifices too..
28 august 2008
I was born and graduated elementary in taysan elementary school in the year 70’s, then my secondary requirement finished in lipa city colleges,when i entered in military service, almost two times a year to visit my home town, but for almost five consecutive years i practice my right to vote in brgy.mahanadiong, taysan batangas to select candidate on my own free will. many election followed but theres is no violence releted to election, i was shock when heared the news over the radio and other broadsheet that the election in TAYSAN was very unhuman election, i couldnt imagine that some people with evil spirit in her mind, burned the school building including teacher and one other to get the ballot box by force for his own, to win the election and to grab the highest position in taysan. this is my messege to may kababayan in taysan, please HUWAG MASILAW SA PERA , HUWAG IBENTA ANG BOTO, kung may mag-alok ng gripo, yero, o kung ano pa man na ipinamimigay please lang po huwag na po natin tanggapin, isipin po natin ang susunod na henerasyon.
i grew up in taysan.
i know the story of that graved incident. Mrs Banaag was my cousin’n mother-in-law. Now, I’m hre in Manila..
I just want everybody to know that taysan is a good place..
Surrounded by nice people and resources…
I hope that this coming election,2010 will be a peaceful election.
If ur a loser, then accept it..people who supported you, will remains as good as they.
Help improving our road and cooperate other projects for the sake our town.