A Copy of any Curriculum Vitae of any Philippines Government Official

Conquering Fears and Hopelessness: An Encounter with Col. Ricardo Visaya, Philippine Army CMO Chief

We were trying to get a copy of the curriculum vitae (CV) of Col. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Philippine Army’s Civil Military Operations Battalion, for an article. That brought us into an unexpected encounter.

Clad in shabby outfits and ignoring the excruciating heat of the sun, we rushed into one of the trains of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) on April 28 with the hope of getting the data we needed from the Philippine Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio for an article we were doing on civil-military operations (CMO). In particular, we were trying to get a copy of the curriculum vitae (CV) of Col. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Philippine Army’s Civil Military Operations Battalion.

After calling the Philippines Army’s public affairs office, we tried several times to contact Visaya’s office. It seemed there was a slim chance for any positive result.

Neophytes in this city’s way of life, strangers to Metro Manila, the only thing that pushed us through was our determination to have an article published to complete our In-Company Training here instead of going back to our province without accomplishing anything. Although there were moments when we almost lost hope in what we were doing, we went on anyway.

We went to Fort Bonifacio, firmly holding the letter of request we made, thinking that it could somehow serve as a gate pass in asking for Visaya’s CV for our story about CMO.

Upon reaching Gate 1, our hopes brightened as we were guided around the building by an Army officer. The letter was read. We were briefly quizzed about our internship, school and the publication where we were having our In-Company Training. It was a prerequisite, we know. It was not new at all. However, after minutes of conversations and jokes, we were told to transfer to the CMOG office. Well, there was no room for complaining.

It was past 5 p.m., and we wondered if there would still be personnel in that department who could accommodate us. Could we still make it on time?

Thinking twice, confused, tired, famishing, haggard and all – still we went to CMOG. As we were about to enter, heavy rain poured. Trapped in a shed, we tried to dry ourselves, setting aside the hopelessness brewing within.

When the rain turned into a drizzle, we regained our composure and made our way in – only to find out, it was not really the office that could help us with what we needed. The personnel, in fairness to her, made an effort to phone the CMO office and consulted the head about our business there.

“The Captain said there was no way they can give you the information you are asking,” the lady personnel told us after a few minutes of talking with someone over the phone. “They need an authorization coming from Colonel Visaya. I bet it will be better if you will just return on Monday.”

With all the efforts we exerted, “disappointment” was not the best term to describe the feeling that struck us. It was more than that. For two days, we found it difficult convincing ourselves that on Monday, things would be better and that luck would be on our side. But in any case, there was still hope.

Monday

The day had come and we decided to put our best feet forward.

“This must be our day. By hook or by crook, CMO must provide us Colonel Visaya’s CV,” we told ourselves.

As we finally approached the officer outside the appropriate department, our hearts beat faster. Somehow, we were fascinated when they welcomed us and asked what they can do for us. Though nervous, we tried to laugh at their jokes. Perhaps, it was a way to ease our nervousness

While we were led to the person they said was the one to respond to our inquiry, a certain uneasiness crept into us. Sweat almost dripped from our perspiring palms when we entered the captain’s office. We were surrounded by huge men in uniform, staring at us in a way that just bothered us more.

Captain Ogis, after the brief introduction, asked for our IDs again as expected. They photocopied our identification cards and called our school to verify if we were not “impostors.” We felt panic brewing inside us. We were taken aback. No protest was heard from us, though we felt like shaking inside.

“Pardon me for the strictness of our rules here,” the captain said. “It is for security purposes. I am just doing my job. It is always the process every time visitors come. I hope you understand.”

When he refused to provide us Visaya’s CV we tried again to explain our purpose. But he said it was confidential.

“Colonel Visaya is on the NPA (New People’s Army)’s hit list. If we give what you’re asking for, it is like feeding ourselves to the enemy,” Ogis elaborated. He suggested that we just him what we wanted to know about Col. Visaya, and if he could answer it, he would. But if not, he would say it is confidential. We thought about his suggestions and after a while, agreed.

“When did Colonel Visaya start his Army career?” we asked. But then, instead of answering, he laughed, we really don’t know why, but he said the question made him laugh. Yes, he still answered that. However, before we asked another question, he called up Visaya to ask for his approval regarding the answers he would give. We then knew that Visaya was just around. So he excused himself and went out. We were left there with other army officials. We were quite apprehensive about what might happen next.

An encounter with Colonel Visaya himself

After several minutes, a tall, dark, intimidating man stepped in. We then realized it was Visaya himself.

“If you are writing about CMO, I believe you don’t need my curriculum vitae,” Visaya said, “Let me just tell you about it.”

In a dramatic way, he elaborated their operations. “It is like a tug of war. The fight is between the government and the communists, wherein civilians stay in the middle,” he stated.

According to him, the two opposing groups both aim to get the support of the neutrals.

“I really can’t understand why communists keep on insisting that the government is harassing the people, when all along it is they who are doing that,” he said. “What they tell the people are only the negative aspects, which is why some civilians become furious at the government without knowing the positive aspirations of the government for them. So, in order to eliminate this issue, we decided to make this CMO program.”

As Visaya spoke, another officer took pictures of us.

The CMO, Visaya said, has developmental projects being implemented. “We would ask a certain community what their problems and needs are and try our best to provide them,” he explained.

“We have made a public toilet at Isla Puting Bato because they really did not have any toilets there,” Captain Ogis added. “Even during military operations, the Army officials were the ones who would clean up their mess.”

More elaboration about CMO was made, to the point that we almost forgot about the “civil” thing.

After an hour of listening to their speeches about CMO, we came to realize we did not accomplish what we were supposed to. The main reason we presented ourselves in that place had not been fulfilled. Honestly, we were a bit frightened during our whole stay there. We were just relieved thinking that we were able to exit from that office. Our encounter that day was unexpected.

Source: -http://www.bulatlat.com/2007/05/conquering-fears-and-hopelessness-encounter-col-ricardo-visaya-philippine-army-cmo-chief