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A tireless public servant falls: tribute to Albert Terredaño

This administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA), as militant organizations claim, has institutionalized the assassination of progressive leaders in its efforts to quell the mounting discontent and opposition to its anti-people programs. Gone were the days when activists were being abducted and tortured, today they are being shot at like mad animals.

In November, two human rights advocates were assassinated in a span of 11 hours.

Albert Terradaño, a human rights advocate, true union leader and peasant organizer. These words written on a cardboard caught my eyes when we arrived at the home of the assassinated activist in Abra.

A persevering lad

Albert was born to a humble peasant home in Tayum, Abra. His parents could not send him to college but he did not lose hope. He worked as a convent boy until he graduated.

“Albert was a simple person, a hard working student, he has a plan for his life,” an old friend described him in Ilokano.

His older brother Elmo added that even when Albert was working and studying in Bangued, the capital town a few kilometers from Tayum, he used to return home on Saturdays to help in the fields and in house chores.

“He even saved some of his salary to augment the family income,” Elmo said in Ilokano. “He was not only my brother, but also my best friend,” he added.

A loving husband and a patient father

“I have nothing against him. He was an uncomplaining, patient and loving husband. He guided me through hardships,” Elvina, Albert’s wife says teary-eyed.

“There were times that I complain but he was able to juggle his time well for me, our children, and work, and fighting for his cause,” she adds.

“He is a good father. He helps us with our assignments. He is a patient father,” Albert’s eldest, Arnold John narrates tears welling from his eyes and voice cracking.

“Hindi hiwalay ang pag-ibig niya (Albert) sa bayan sa pag-ibig niya sa kanyang mga anak, asawa at kapamilya. Prisipyado, disiplinado at organisado,” one of his friends declared.

A generous, principled man

Albina disclosed that Albert is open to help everyone and “he does not wait for anything in return.”

She said during the early years of their married life, Albert taught at Baay Licuan despite the meager salary he received as a public school teacher because he wanted to help the residents, who are deprived of social services such as education.

“He had to cross a river and climb a mountain before he could reach the barrio. But when the children were already growing up and the expenses are increasing, he was forced to look for a better paying job here (Bangued) to feed us, until he ended up at DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform),” she recalls.

Even when he found a better job, Albert did not stop working for the advancement of the rights and welfare of peasants and workers.

In fact, Arnel Balucas, a co-activist shared that Albert aside from his work at DAR, helped in the formation of progressive organizations in Tayum and Bangued. This includes the Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Sitios (Ornus), Tignayan dagiti Mannalon ti San Quintin, Kakailian Salakniban Tay’ amin a Nagtaudan (Kastan), the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage).

He was also the president of the Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA), a volunteer staff of the Indigenous Peoples’ Legal Center (Dinteg) and a former staff of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)-Abra.

Balucas stressed that Albert’s death is special. His dedication and commitment to the advancement of the rights and welfare of the oppressed is incomparable. “He continued to serve the people despite the threats to his life. He is a martyr and deserves only the highest tribute,” he adds.

I do not know Albert. We never met before. The first time I saw him, he is already lying quietly in a casket, lifeless. I learned of his good deeds and sacrifices during the tribute his family, friends, co-workers and activists offered.

His family, friends and co-workers learned a lot from him as they walked with him through his life. Patience, hard work and generosity were just a few of his admirable traits. Even his death is an inspiration to all.

They might have killed Albert but his fight would go on. His comrades vowed to continue the cause for which he fought. His death would never be in vain, they all said. # Kim Quitasol/NORDIS

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