12 May 2022, from Emmanuel Hernandez ‘73

Congratulations sir Ben. Your research is 99% accurate. The 1% inaccuracy included but not limited to the following: (I was the Manager of AFPOVAI at the time)

1. Boy Enrile, the CSAFP, was the only senior AFP officer who ‘blatantly’ supported the 678 members at the time. He was a maverick who was not zealous in playing the traditional “rich man’s game”. He swam against the current by ordering the PN leadership to vacate the golf course in order that the legal owners of the land the PN golf course was occupying, can enjoy the benefit of PP 461. Angie Reyes thought that his death was highly suspicious because he was very healthy when he died of an ‘unexplained disease’. I thought his demise might have had something to do with his decision on 678 conflict. Being righteous is hazardous to one’s health.
2. We ‘bribed’ important people in the government (save Gen Enrile) who could help us get our lots inside the golf course (hoping that they may “persuade” the PN to give up the golf course) by “fast tracking” the “award” to ‘them’ to no avail.
3. With the help of AFPOVAI, we “invaded” the course one early morning armed with placards and with a squad of journalists. Fortunately no one got hurt because of the presence of the people from the media (TV and Radio).
4. Finally, we resorted to “suntok sa buwan”- the legal approach. We hired the flamboyant Frank Chavez. The AFPOVAI paid his acceptance fee of 100,000 pesos.The 4 plaintiffs were the ones who paved the way from RTC, to CA and finally to SC that we see today. The SC decision formed the basis with which SND issued the 2 Memorandums.

The legal approach was the knockout punch.

When we won at the RTC level, then at the Courts of Appeal, and finally at the Supreme Court level, I wondered why the events were shrouded in mystery for 17 years. No one knew the plaintiffs won at the Regional Trial Court pa lang.

We are lucky today to have Gems and Art. They provided the transparency we badly needed and the boost to get everything back on track.

There is ‘tsismis’ (grapevine) that the PN is preparing to ‘evacuate’. This could be good news but it’s wrong. When the ‘final and executory’ order is released, at least under the law in Canada, the PN has no right to touch anything. The golf course is supposed to be held by the court (as part of the agreement, although there was none). Nothing is to be taken out until the 4 plaintiffs are fully paid accordingly. (I’m just adding this comment to tell everyone where the PN belongs as far as the rule of law is concerned.)