Nung araw pa lang naririnig na natin about the so-called Davao Death Squads. It was also reported that the vigilantes were the ones killing the drug pushers and criminals in Davao City.
Is Mr. Arthur Lascanas committing suicide by accusing Pres. Duterte of EJKs?
I’ve been to Davao a few times long-long time ago. The first was with Katrina Sanvictores, Ann Pamintuan, Jun Kalalo (+) Luis Sicat, Jun Ortiz including Philexport Trustees and hundreds of exporters who were members of the Philippine Exporters Foundation. Second was when I was invited by Ann Pamintuan to grace their trade exhibit. GMA was the guest of honor. At least two hours before then Pres. GMA arrived at the exhibition venue, the VIP chairs, podium, flowers were ready. An hour before he scheduled opening ceremony, the organizers were advised by GMA’s secretary that she was not coming. So the organizers removed the podium, the flowers, and re-arranged the chairs. After half hour, Malacanang said GMA is coming. Naku, kagulo na. Panic,. Saan na yung mga silya, yung podium, bulaklak. I was watching the organizers and some government staff moved like Superman to put back the podium, the flowers, the chairs! That was both stressful and funny. GMA arrived after 15 minutes.
Ann offered to pay for my airline tickets and accommodations at Apo View Hotel (which was owned by her in-laws). I went to Davao but I turned down Ann’s offer to reimburse my expenses. I told her to just use the money for the association’s expenses.
I went back to Davao for the Export & Import Bank’s road show presentation. I was with Donald Dee, Serge Ortiz-Luis, Benigno Aquino Gonzales (cousin of Noynoy Aquino), and other bank officers. We invited exporters and businessmen to invest in the newly established bank. I was a director pero I lost all my investments. LUGI!!! Well, that’s another longgggg story. #verysad
I also made another trip with Prof. Tom Aquino, Dr. Emil Antonio (+), Katrina Sanvictores, and maybe thirty other SBEP students and professors. We attended two out-of-town classes plus a factory visit. During the afternoon session, I fell asleep on my chair for at least an hour while Dr. Emil Antonio lectured about economics. My classmates didn’t wake-me up, they just watched me sleep.
I went to Davao again when Team Philippines conducted a trade and investment forum. Our photos were splashed on their daily newspapers the next day. Our host was Don Antonio Floirendo.
Coming from Europe with then president Fidel V. Ramos, his cabinet, a few congressmen, senators, and business leaders, we landed in Cagayan de Oro and changed plane. We boarded a military plane, maybe a C3. It only had benches and was devoid of comfy seats. I spent most of the time standing inside the cockpit joking with the pilots, Gen. Calimlim, etc. This was long time ago. I can’t recall if Gen. Jun Esperon was there too. We were with Gen. Joe Magno, Bobby Romulo, etc. We went to Davao and stayed for a night. We checked in at the Davao Waterfront Insular Hotel which was the biggest and the best during those days. I shared a room with Olivia Limpe-Aw (CEO of Destilleria Limtuaco). The Floirendos served us the most delicious grilled tuna. Meron pang pabaon na durian. We flew to Manila the next morning.
