Patriotic choice to help IPs in quest for peace, dev’t: envoy

Philippine Deputy Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso III said there is nothing wrong with helping the legitimate government of the Republic of the Philippines that is recognized by the Filipinos, and nations of the world. (File Photo: Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles/Facebook)

WASHINGTON, DC — A Los Angeles Consulate official said it is a patriotic choice for government workers to help tribal leaders and fellow Filipinos in their quest for peace and development.

Philippine Deputy Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso III said there is nothing wrong with helping the legitimate government of the Republic of the Philippines that is recognized by the Filipinos, and nations of the world.

Reacting to reports about left-leaning groups’ claiming that the speaking engagements of eight tribal leaders across the United States are state-sponsored due to the assistance provided by the different Consulates, Enciso said, “Hindi ba ay mas makabayan na choice ‘yun na huwag kang makipaglaban sa kanila at instead magtrabaho kasama nila (Isn’t it more patriotic to work side by side with the government rather than fighting against it?).”

Enciso, in an interview after a town hall meeting disrupted by members of militant Bayan USA on July 15, said he believes the indigenous people’s leaders are doing the right thing for coming to America as a team to make their voices heard and speak on their own behalf rather than have other groups with other agenda speak for them.

“Kung mayroon mang nagsasabi na mali ‘yung ginagawa nila, sa tingin ko hindi tama ‘yun kasi bakit magiging mali na makipagtulungan sa gobyerno at sa kapwa Filipino (It’s wrong to accuse the tribal leaders of standing up against communism. How could helping the government and fellow Filipinos be wrong?),” he added.

Enciso, on behalf of Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, expressed gladness in hosting the dedicated IPs in their Los Angeles leg of the US tour, adding it is important to listen to the own personal accounts of the IP leaders.

The tribal leaders are now on the last leg of their speaking trip in the US to break their silence against the deception, abuses and atrocities committed by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, New People’s Army – a terrorist-listed organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

‘All too often, in the history of the Philippines, their stories are told by researchers and other groups. What is most important now is to hear the stories from them based on their experiences to prove what they are going through, their sentiments, and aspirations,” he added.

As the first in recent years of the Philippine Consulate General history, he said bringing the tribal stories to the Filipino- American community is an honor because overseas Filipinos are one of the country’s most important sectors.