Hermana Mayor Island - Looking for Lacson

We came on a boat, plowing through opposing waves of aquamarine, looking for the fugitive senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson who is allegedly involved in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case. A beautiful and bright sunny day, we would spend it searching for what lurked in the shadows in the thickets of Hermana Mayor Island off the northern Zambales coast.


I had overheard some of the locals talking a few weeks ago. And like an alert German shepherd, my ears perked up at the mention of Ping Lacson. It seemed people were aware that he was living on Hermana Mayor, but apparently they were afraid to notify authorities, even despite the 2 million PHP reward (supposedly). So, I thought I would do it, after visiting Lacson's alleged hideout myself.

I hired a local fisherman to take me there. He was a talkative fellow. Despite the loud roar of the motor, he just kept on, making significant effort to speak over the racket. We passed by a Chinese ship that he and some of the other locals vowed to cut anchor to should China proceed with the recently publicized planned executions of three overseas Filipino drug mules.

This reaction, though controversial I thought, was admirably patriotic. China is undoubtedly going to push through with the executions and the Philippine government won't be able to stop it despite using their boycott of the Nobel Peace Prize awarding ceremony in favor of China's sentiments as leverage. To provide them a taste of their own medicine, perhaps the Philippines too should make their laws stricter towards foreigners who commit crimes in the country, even implementing similar punishments such as the death penalty.

I tried to change the topic, always reverting to Lacson. However, the fisherman avoided the apparently taboo subject. He instead told me about Hermana Mayor -- a large private island owned by the wealthy Toda and Tuazon clans. Complete with its own helipad and airplane landing strip, rich and prominent guests and friends of the owners (such as Lacson) are able to conveniently visit the isolated paradise. Several workers, who live in a small settlement in the portion facing the mainland, help make the island secure and self-sustaining. Vegetable crops, farm animals, and fruit-bearing trees are tended to by the selected settlers. Towards the back of the island are the owners' residences and guest homes.

Suddenly, the fisherman shut up. His silence startled me; his last words to me were to not ask about Lacson or even mention his name to anyone on the island. He seemed dead serious, so I followed his advice.

We, of course, arrived at the front of the island where the workers reside and were immediately approached by guards upon setting foot on Hermana Mayor soil. Apparently, the island is regularly patrolled by camouflage-dressed men on motorcycles and small trucks. Perhaps they are active or former PNP or military personnel, I thought.

Interestingly, there was strong cellphone signal on the island whereas there was no signal while we were out at sea.

The guards asked us our purpose and ordered that my camera be put away. I simply said that we just wanted to explore and have a look around. They informed us that visitors are not allowed unless invited. Nothing else was said as he called someone using his radio. The voice that replied from the radio ordered him to take us to the workers' settlement where we would be briefed by a higher ranking guard -- who basically told us to get off the island immediately. Our visit seemed to set off a commotion as more patrol guards appeared.

Despite quickly being driven back to our boat, I was still able to take a number of pictures (and some camachile pods), albeit slyly and out of their sight. As we moved out, I was also able to snatch some shots of part of the back end of the island, but none of Lacson -- not even a single piece of evidence.

Was he really there? The rumors that spread, the claims of some of the locals, the concern of the patrol guards with our presence, and the apprehension of the fisherman upon reaching the island all seemed to point to that conclusion. But, who knows.

I contacted the PNP (Philippine National Police) using their e-mail hotline and informed them regarding the information I knew anyway. They replied with a mere 'thank you,' but I'm not sure if that meant:
a) Thank you and we will (at least) look into it and scout out the area.

OR

b) Thank you, we will inform Senator Lacson (and former Director-General of the PNP by the way) to find a new hiding spot.

Regardless, it looks like Lacson may be coming out soon as his attendants prepare his office in the Senate since the Court of Appeals nullified the warrant for his arrest. An interesting turn of events but if Lacson was really innocent, why did he flee and go into hiding in the first place? And if he surfaces but the Supreme Court reinstates the arrest warrant, then will he go into hiding again?

Hubert Webb is released on shaky basis, Lacson's arrest warrant is nullified, and now what's next? The Ampatuans get set free? I hope not.