"WE stand by personnel who perform their
duties professionally and lawfully, and we remain committed to constructive
engagement with the local government."
Pointedly dismissive on one hand, tactfully
receptive on the other is the official statement of the Philippine Air Force in
defense of the commander of the Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB) in Tarlac who
has come under fire from the Sangguniang Bayan of Capas.
Lt. Col. Owen Avenido "in her capacity as
the base commander, was only performing her lawful duty to protect" the
facility and nearby communities. So declared PAF spokesperson Col. Ma.
Christina Basco on July 28.
Avenido, commander of the PAF 790th Air Base
Group at CERAB, was declared persona non grata (PNG) by the Capas SB via Municipal
Resolution No. 112-2026 unanimously approved during its special session on July
27.
The resolution clarified that the PNG declaration
"is adopted not out of hostility toward the Armed Forces of the
Philippines or the PAF but out of the municipality's continuing commitment to
protect and preserve the dignity of local government, and uphold the principles
of mutual respect, courtesy, accountability and cooperation among all public
institutions."
The dignity of the LGU sullied with Avenido allegedly twice rejecting requests of Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez for a
dialogue over the simmering issues his constituents had been raising against
the CERAB contingent, principally of its personnel imposing restrictions impacting
on the day-to-day affairs of both “unat” and “kulot” communities in Barangays
Sta. Juliana, O'Donnell, Maruglo, Buena, and Sta. Lucia, all within the
17,000-hectare military reservation.
Affected residents in July 14, 2026 rally in Barangay Sta. Juliana, Capas against PAF checkpoint restrictions, calling for dialogue and respect of IP rights over their ancestral domain. Photo: Capas Information Office
Issues ultimately ventilated at the Capas session hall resulting to Avenido being declared persona non grata, to wit:
With military checkpoints, bringing into the
communities basic necessities like rice, drinking water, groceries, and the
like became an ordeal for the residents.
Before the SB, an Aeta resident articulated
their situation verily bordering on violation of indigenous peoples’ rights: "If
they say we have rights as IPs, why are we not allowed to bring construction
materials into our community? What the military says is not reflected in what
we experience. We want the freedom to improve our homes and to enter with our
materials through an agreement that respects our rights."
IP representatives speak at the
Capas SB session hall. Contributed photo
No red-tagging but allegations of PAF personnel reportedly referring to Aeta residents as "illegal settlers" smack of discrimination, if not outright racism.
The municipal social welfare and development office
was deterred from its bound duty to conduct validation activities for IPs and
beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as its personnel were
denied entry.
Even assistance from the Department of Social
Welfare and Development to the communities were not allowed. Barangay Maruglo
chair Lota Guanla told the SB: "They asked us to move outside the
checkpoint. We had to bring tables and chairs under a mango tree instead of
using our barangay covered court. Residents had to receive their assistance
outside under the heat."
Personnel from the municipal civil registrar's
office were forced to cancel a scheduled late birth registration outreach for IPs
after they were reportedly denied entry.
In like manner, the municipal agriculture office
was prevented to distribute vegetable seedlings intended for IP communities when
its personnel allegedly were barred from entering the reservation.
Tarlac Electric Cooperative II director Eliseo
Rivera cited an instance when personnel were allegedly prevented from
responding to a reported electrical emergency of a burning electric meter and
an energized power line inside the reservation.
Mayor Rodriguez himself recalled being “put on
hold for an unreasonable amount of time," on his way to Barangay Sta.
Juliana to officiate a wedding.
No relief
Calling for Avenido's relief from her post,
Capas SB asked PAF for the designation of a replacement "who will
strengthen cooperation, mutual respect, constructive dialogue and
partnership."
Just as quick, spokesman Basco said there is
no need at this time to relieve Avenido from her post, stressing that the
service will review the allegations through established procedures and equally
emphasizing PAF remains open to dialogue with local officials, but said “actions
taken in good faith to secure military property should be viewed in the context
of official duty.”
In the face of all the issues raised at the
Capas session hall. Notwithstanding the PNG declaration against its commander, PAF
maintained that the security protocols enforced at CERAB are “essential and
standard procedures to safeguard military readiness, protect national defense
infrastructure, and ensure public safety within the military reservation.”
Hence, Mayor Rodriguez’s quip during the
session stands out all the more: "We are not happy with what's going on."
Standstill. An irresistible force impacting an
immovable object to break the stalemate. In all appearances, for now.
Pax Silica
What can properly be discerned as an affront
to local government dignity, curtailment of freedom of movement, and infringement
of IP rights vis-à-vis draconian security protocols is fast impinging on the
dilemma that is Pax Silica.
Already, there are Capas locals seeing the current
PAF-Capas controversy as portentous of the AI phantom poised to take over their
land, if not a security dry run, indeed, already the commencement of what, in Cold
War parlance, is called “softening the ground.”
It does not take a conspiracy theorist to unravel this.
Sources: Media reports
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jfif)
.jfif)
