Overshadowed by the intense threat of the CPA, the Palawan refugee camp in the Philippines will be the first one to be closed down, at the latest by the end of this year. When the news was announced, the anxiety and dread of the refugees could easily be perceived. SOS messages keep coming to the Supreme Master Ching Hai. Toward the middle of May, the Philippine Government sent the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations two official letters, (See Appendix 1) offering to work in cooperation with them to provide vocational training for the refugees. As if perceiving a slender light in a dark valley, the Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately instructed that a reply letter be sent (Appendix 2) to the Philippine Government and the highest official of the Palawan camp, extending Her sincerity to cooperate with them, and stating that She would send someone to assess the situation. At that time, the Chief Commander of the Palawan Western District Military Head Quarters, General Carlos Ta ega was in the United States. The International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations received a reply letter from the Deputy Administrator Capt. Rex Robles, listing many terms and regulations that they would have to follow when working in the camp (See Appendix 3). During the last conversation with the Deputy Administrator on the telephone, he repeatedly insisted that they must follow the camp regulations, and would only allow the refugees who have signed for voluntary repatriation to take part in the vocational training. As the closing of the camp is imminent, the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations were most anxious just to bring their love into the camp, to comfort the distressed and helpless refugees. Therefore, they agreed to follow all of the camp regulations. Then, just before hanging up the phone, the Deputy Administrator said that the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations were welcome to enter the camp the next day if they could fully comply with the regulations.
The assessment team was formed quickly consisting of the General Secretary and the Director of the Meditation Association, branch center representatives from various parts of Formosa and interpreters. When the departure procedures were completed, the team immediately set off . After arriving in Manila, the vocational training assessment team of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations found that the flights to Palawan were canceled due to an unexpected typhoon. The assessment team changed their schedule and stayed overnight at the Manila branch center. The next morning the assessment team took a flight to Palawan.
As if going to visit their long lost kin, the scene depicted many times in the Supreme Master Ching Hai News of the Palawan refugees pressed against the barbed wire fence crying, shouting, reluctant to let the Supreme Master Ching Hai go, was suddenly relived vividly in the minds of the assessment team members. Along the familiar yellow muddy path, the hired bicycle drawn rickshaw took them outside the PFAC camp.
Amid a light shower, the representatives of the assessment team waited at the security check point at the entrance for permission to enter from the security officer. After several hours, the security officer Major Ragel consented to let them go in to visit the ashram and fellow practitioners inside the camp. Tears filled in the eyes of the team members, perhaps because they empathized with the inner helplessness and sufferings of the refugees. The Palawan ashram located in the refugee camp, is really a paradise. A meticulously arranged vegetable patch, a cute little pond (a natural reservoir), the fascinating reflections on the water - the place was clean, quiet and unique. The meditation hall, the scripture supply office, the library, all were tidy and solemn. There were many disciples of the Supreme Master Ching Hai coming to the place, but they were quiet, fast and well organized. Knowing about the visit of the vocational training assessment team of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations (the first visit by foreign fellow initiates), all the initiates in the camp gathered at the hall for meditation. Later, when the assessment team met the supervisory secretary of the camp in the ashram library, the fellow initiates even posted guards to maintain order in the venue. The fellow initiates in the camp make their own tofu, plant vegetables, and live fairly independently. The vegetables they plant are so highly acclaimed that even the camp supervisor comes to buy them. Materially, the life of the initiates in the Palawan camp is not as convenient and comfortable as the life of other initiates around the world. However, spiritually, they are very aware and have a diligent attitude, which is a good example to all initiates.
The supervisory secretary was delighted to see the members of the assessment team. In fact, the assessment team spoke to her on the phone before this trip. She has been very helpful, and has expressed that she would try her best to arrange a meeting for the assessment team with the chief official of the camp. The assessment team members have come thousands of miles to see her, it must be their affinity.
The secretary said that she had watched the Supreme Master Ching Hai's video tapes. Even her neighbors borrow her tapes and books of Master. Originally, she and her family did not have much of an understanding about the refugee issue. Thanks to the Supreme Master Ching Hai's persistent aiding activities and clarifications, they became concerned about this long standing issue. They began to understand the real meaning of ''refugee''. She and her family love the Supreme Master Ching Hai very much. Eventually, she agreed to help arrange a meeting of the assessment team with the Superintendent of the Camp Capt. Silbol. Their luck ran out. A team of guards came to inform the team members that their visiting time was up, and they had to go! Representatives of the assessment team members who were meditating were called out of samadhi, and requested to leave the camp along with their luggage.
At the exit, a disciple in the camp of the Supreme Master Ching Hai approached them trying to help them with the luggage. A policewoman shouting loudly, threatened him angrily, and forbid the fellow practitioner from coming close. It was really hard to figure out how a spiritual group practicing meditation could possibly present so much of a threat to the camp authorities, so heavily armed? The assessment team brought love with their pure sincerity, and were invited by the Philippine Government to work with them on a vocational training program. Furthermore, the assessment team already agreed to comply with all the terms set out by the camp authorities. The attitude of the camp authorities really puzzled them!
Since the Deputy Administrator Capt. Rex. Robles was not in, the secretary arranged for the assessment team to meet another administrator, Capt, Inocencio G. Silbol, in the afternoon. Even though the team were guests of the Camp Administrator, the security staffs still rudely kicked them out of the camp. As instructed, the assessment team waited outside for many hours, and then requested permission to enter again. The security staff had changed shifts in the afternoon. All that they said was that they hadn't received any instructions to grant entry to the assessment team. They were forbidden to go in. When the assessment team asked to talk to someone on the telephone, they said the appointment was canceled! The rain is coming again! The changing sky was just like the ever changing minds of the people, always turning up side down - one minute it is fine and then suddenly overcast. Unable to see Capt. Silbol, the assessment team members left a letter for him from the headquarters of the International S.M.C.H. Meditation Associations in Formosa (Appendix 4), explaining gently the purpose of their trip. As the assessment team had the invitation letter from the Government, they asked Capt. Inocencio G. Silbol to explain why they were refused entry. In his reply letter, the pretext was that advance approval from TFIRAA (The Task Force on International Refugees Assistance and Administration) was necessary.
In fact, the next day, the legal advisor for TFIRAA, Mr. Hunculada, visited the PFAC Camp. The assessment team have tried all channels. Even Ms. Lili, supervisor of the civilian counselling unit in the camp (Holy Trinity College), helped earnestly to arrange the meeting. However, the assessment team still failed to meet. The Chairman of the TFIRAA was not in Manila, so the visit was postponed to the next week.
For several days, the vocational training assessment team members of the International Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations kept meditating under the canopy of a shop outside the camp entrance, braving the rain and storm. Right in front of their nose is the yellow muddy path leading straight inside the camp, yet the assessment team members were cruelly separated by the barbed wire fence. They were so anxious and depressed. They were also strongly and inwardly affected by the sincere love and concern for the refugees who were so close to them. Unfortunately, the iron fence was emotionless, and could not read the agonizing expression in their eyes.
Actually, there was little restriction to visitors entering the camp. In those few days, the assessment team saw many people going in and out. Some went in to attend the church service. Some passers-by simply took a rest in the restaurant inside the camp. Why couldn't they go in? The assessment team also came to meditate - praying for a more peaceful atmosphere in the camp and to soothe the agitated souls of the refugees, advising them to treasure their lives. As if rooted in position, sitting outside the camp, these liaison initiates had put down the busy work of their ashram and come all the way for this visit, just because of the sincere love and concern in their hearts. Whenever the assessment team saw fellow practitioners wearing the Supreme Master Ching Hai's photo coming out of the camp, they would exchange encouraging looks with each other. The assessment team asked them to meditate more and pray that the turbulent troubled atmosphere in the camp would calm down. The disciples of the Supreme Master Ching Hai in the camp held a retreat one after another during those few days.
In the small shop, a child suddenly cried and broke our deep thinking. The assessment team members simultaneously turned around to observe. There was a responding voice from the back of the shop. Perhaps that was the mother consoling her crying baby. It was a trivial episode, yet it made them reflect deeply. A low cry from a baby immediately gained warmth and concern. Why are the wholehearted and agonizing wails of thousands of refugees not being responded to with compassion from the world? Are they deliberately blocking their ears and eyes? What actually has buried man's innate loving and caring nature for each other? Back To Manila Again
The assessment team flew back to Manila with so many questions inside. Introduced by their reporter friend Mr. Santos, they met Senator Alvarez, and Mr. MoratO, the President's Advisor. On that day the Senator was campaigning for the election in other provinces, but he suddenly flew back to his Manila office in the afternoon. The assessment team was the first group to see him. Senator Alvarez has always been concerned about the refugees. Originally, he had planned to accompany Master Ching Hai on Her last trip to Palawan. Knowing that they could not enter the camp, he immediately wrote a letter to General Ta ega (see Appendix 5 ), and asked them to convey his goodwill to Master Ching Hai.
It was already evening when they came out of the Senator's office. In a hurry, they rushed to Mr. MoratO's office, the President's Advisor. Mr. MoratO had just retumed from a meeting. After meeting the team members, he immediately tried calling General Ta ega. He said that the general was his old friend. As the general was not in Palawan, he wrote a letter to the Chairman of TFIRAA, Mr. Lauro Baja Jr. (See Appendix 6 ).
Mr. MoratO expressed his regret for not being able to attend the Intemational Human Rights Conference held in Formosa in May. He also wished that the team members would be able to enter the camp easily, and successfully accomplish the objective of their trip.
The next day, the assessment team visited the Chairman of TFIRAA. After finding out who Master Ching Hai was, and receiving a brief account about the practicing group, the Intemational Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations, Mr. Baja stressed the position of the Philippine Government. The members of the assessment team assured him that they understood and would cooperate. Then, Mr. Baja signed the permission form for them to enter the camp. (See Appendix 7).
After getting the camp entry permission from TFIRAA, the first thing the assessment team did when they retumed to Palawan was submit the permission to the camp. Capt. Silbol was not there, but the Deputy Administrator Capt. Rex. Robles had come back! After all these hardships, they finally saw the key person. Just returning from a trip, the Deputy Administrator looked rather tired. He reemphasized that the camp must carry out the decision of closing down the camp by the end of this year. The members of the assessment team also reassured him that they would keep their promise - their purpose being to work in developing of the vocational training program. On the grounds of humanity, they wanted to provide timely aid in the limited period before the camp closes down. Their only objective is to ease the refugees' minds, train them with a skill so they could live independently and with dignity wherever they would go in the future. Finally, Capt. Robles agreed to arrange a meeting for the vocational training assessment team of the Intemational Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations, to figure out the details of the training project with the representatives of the nongovernmental organizations (Ngos) in the camp.
At the appointed time, the next day, only three members of the assessment team could attend the meeting. The non-governmental groups in the camp present included the H.T.C., CADP, I.C.M.C., I.O.M., CFSI, DSWD, Catholic Church, O.I.C., UNHCR, etc. The vocational training assessment team of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations first thanked all the groups for their consistent care and concern of the refugees, and then expressed how happy they were that the Philippine Government had given the assessment team members the opportunity to cooperate with them in serving the refugees. Before they could get to the main points, Capt. Robles changed the topic, giving them no chance to discuss with the groups the details of the training project. Instead, he launched a chain of irrelevant questions. The team members really could not understand. The whole subject was originally very simple only an vocational training project. Why were there so much doubts, suspicions and political elements involved? The assessment team members' sincerity to cooperate was so apparent. Waiting for a week outside the camp, getting the permission from Manila - they complied accordingly. Yesterday, they were promised the opportunity to discuss with the others the details of the project. It was a different story today! Capt. Robles was directing a play. The various groups were the audience, witnessing his pressing interrogation. This was not a meeting, but a lecture or military inspection. Was his purpose to demonstrate that the army had complete control, and that not even the official Government letter could do anything?! Was he not excessive in his efforts and trouble toward a group propagating love and kindness?!
Long before the PFAC was established, sister Tomasa had been living with the refugees in this camp formerly called the Philippine Refugee Camp. Initially, she concentrated on providing medical service, food relief and preaching. As more groups joined in later, she switched to educational work and set up the HTC (Holy Trinity College). When the vocational training assessment team of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations were in Palawan, sister Tomasa was in Manila for medical treatment, and looking funding for the camp school. The assessment team had talked with sister Tomasa many times on the phone when they were getting the permission in Manila. The kind and cordial sister told the team members that HTC was a school in the camp funded by private citizens. Ever since the UN canceled their fixed subsidized budget, it has become more difficult to run the school. The assessment team members mentioned that their trip to PFAC to assess the project was aimed at increasing the existing vocational training project, and providing urgent human resources and financial aid before the camp closes down. Sister Tomasa strongly supported their plan, which she also thought was both practical and necessary. Sister Tomasa said that the present monthly budget of the school is only 50,000 pesos. All teachers and staff were volunteers. They have difficulty paying wages, not to mention the inadequate teaching facilities.
After having talked with the students in the school, the assessment team came to know that all teaching materials are lacking. For instance, there are only eight sets of computers, so dozens of students in a class must use them by turns. As the lesson are not regular and there is not enough practice on the machines, their learning is limited. The same problem also exists in the mechanical maintenance and cooking classes. The facts show that if the camp authorities truly wish to cooperage with the government's vocational training project to produce the desired good results, despite the camp's closing, they should accept the proposal of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations. Free of charge, they bring human resources and financial support which are both reasonable and meet practical needs.
Another respectable and lovable supervisor of the HTC who also supported the assessment team strongly, is Ms. Lili. When the legal consultant of TFIRAA was visiting the camp, Ms. Lili strived hard to arrange a meeting for the assessment team with him but without success. She was a very compassionate social worker and the president of the home for unwed mothers in the Palawan camp. She was a former Congress Councilor of the Philippines. Her elegant manner and way of talking as well as her fluent English were most impressive. She told us in private that many of her good friends working in the camp asked her why the assessment team was refused entry by the camp. She had explained to them the assessment team were only trying to work with the vocational training project. During the several days the assessment team stayed outside the camp, they truly received a lot of sympathy, concern and encouragement.
The vocational training assessment team of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations had waited eagerly for ten days. General Ta ega finally returned to Palawan. After submitting the introductory letter from Senator Alvarez and a bundle of invitation letters and permits from the government, the team members waited outside the commander's office of the western region. They waited an entire day with high hopes. Two of the members were ill all day while they stood outside. Later in the afternoon, the General's secretary saw them as she was going home. She arranged for them to wait inside the office next to the General's residence. It was the final moment. They silently meditated. Capt. Asuncion, the commanding officer, announced their visit. He came back after the sun had set and darkness fell. He brought the team members the message that the General was exhausted after a full day's meeting. He wanted the assessment team to come back in two days. Finally the assessment team would have their chance to meet the General!
General Ta ega was very rude, unlike what the assessment team members had heard, a person easy to communicate with. He acted like a territorial warlord. Without any formalities, he started the meeting with a series of interrogations. He had no regard for the President's Advisor and Senator's phone calls, and letters expressing concerns about the assessment team not being able to enter the camp. He even questioned the assessment team members' uninvited visit?! They explained that they had received invitation letters from the Philippine Government and had spoken with Deputy Administrator, Robles, on the phone before coming over about their simple purpose of complying with the vocational training project in the camp.
The vocational training assessment team of the International S.M.C.H. Meditation Associations had originally thought that when the Philippine Government wrote to them about the vocational training program, it was a gesture of good will based on the friendly nature of the Filipino people and their concern for the future of the refugees. They never expected that the Palawan authorities had no intention of cooperating at all. They had set up restrictions everywhere and interfered at every opportunity. The charitable works done by the Supreme Master Ching Hai had been known worldwide. They had been welcomed everywhere, because Master Ching Hai always responds, totally out of love, to the requests of disaster victims. These is no time to consider the complicated issues of politics and economics in trying to save victims of disasters.
When the assessment team mentioned that since the camp authorities were so insistent, they would agree to vocational training for the refugees who had signed up to return to Au Lac, the General said there was no such thing as the vocational training program . The so-called program was to persuade the refugees to return to Au Lac. Then, how could they explain the letters from the Philippine Government? Why would the Deputy Administrator of the Camp arrange a meeting to show the assessment team the vocational training program under way by private organizations? It seemed that the camp was not acting on the proposed plan by the Government. (Many of the other non-governmental organizations also reported that many activities and funds had been canceled. The vocational training assessment team of the International S.M.C.H. Meditation Associations really didn't want to be suspicious. They were just amazed! They had faced similar situations many times before and were used to such inconsistencies. It was no big surprise!
The members of the assessment team then conveyed letters (Appendix 8) on behalf of the headquarter of the International S.M.C.H. Meditation Associations in Formosa to the Philippine Government and the Palawan refugee camp to express their sincerity, hoping that the camp authorities would let the assessment team go into the camp to help with the vocational training program.
No matter what, the merciful Supreme Master Ching Hai is always caring for the Philippines - a country frequently inflicted by disasters. Although unfairly humiliated on many occasions, the Supreme Master Ching Hai continues to send messages of love and reassurance of Her help to them. In fact, the refugee issue is only an arrangement by God providing an opportunity for people in the world to exercise their compassion and a precious chance for the Philippines to see Master many times! Unfortunately, people simply don't understand. Even when the reminder is as obvious as appearing at their door steps, their deep rooted ignorance is still not awakened yet. The really pitiful ones are not the refugees, but the hard-hearted people who missed the chance to meet and serve the noble cause of an enlightened Master.
During their meeting with General Ta ega, he repeatedly told the assessment team to return to Formosa and conduct further communications through written correspondence. He said that the vocational training proposal could be drafted in Formosa. The General's words were like throwing cold water on a hot iron.
Time was running out, so the assessment team, fearing long delays if correspondence was sent by post, hurriedly organized themselves to conduct a study of the needs in the camp. In this way they would provide the most complete and feasible project proposal. Their ultimate aim was to help soothe the restless minds of the helpless asylum seekers in their critical moment of crisis, by giving them friendship and love.
They did not mind spending so much time and money. How could they just sit in their cool, comfortable office waiting for the slow bureaucratic process when doom was imminent, and the asylum seekers were suffering? How could they refrain from being anxious?
To fully express their sincerity to cooperate, The International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations immediately followed the suggestion by the General to communicate by official letters. Upon receiving any response from the camp authorities, the disciples at the headquarters of the Meditation Associations dared not waste a moment.
They would start to work immediately according to the demands raised, no matter if it was day or night, preparing the next official letter. To expedite delivery, all the letters were sent by facsimile, and then personally delivered to the General's office by an assessment team member. Even though many letters were sent this way, including the work - training program proposal (Appendix 9), the camp authorities rejected all their proposals using some excuse each time. (Please refer to Appendix 10.)
The last letter (Appendix 11) they submitted had not received a reply even after many days, so on the morning of July 22, an assessment team member went to the Western Command seeking a reply. Coincidentally, General Ta ega passed by in a car and at that time, they met each other again.
On that same day in the afternoon, when the assessment team member returned to attend the appointed meeting, she was stopped at the camp's main entrance. The guards conveyed an order, said to be given by their superiors, that the assessment team member from Formosa was not allowed to enter.
An army officer was there. Observing that the assessment team member was humble, polite and gentle, he volunteered to verify the instruction over the telephone. Later, he politely said that the order was genuinely from their superiors. They could not help because they had to follow the order.
The assessment team member tried to talk to the office secretary over the phone. An office worker answered and evasively said that all the office staff were out, and there was no other message concerning this matter. He suggested that the assessment team simply return to Formosa! The month long negotiations had come to a complete standstill.
During low tide in Palawan, the sea recedes as far as the horizon. At high tide, the sea water immerses the small trees on the banks of the shore. The assessment team member traveled to and from the Western Command almost every day; always carrying boundless hope, but returning feeling disillusioned and depressed by the apathy of the camp officials.
Palawan was once the loving arms of a compassionate mother, embracing this group of homeless and suffering children. Just as the tide comes and goes each day, so all things are ever changing. However, no one seems to be able to sense the reasoning behind it all except the compassionate Supreme Master Ching Hai, who forever bestows Her love on the suffering people.
A reporter aptly remarked: When the whole world has raised their white flags to the refugee problem, only the Supreme Master Ching Hai continues to strive.
Really! All along, the Supreme Master Ching Hai has personified eternal love. With unimaginable perseverance and endurance, She has persisted in struggling with the world's complicated minds, which are filled with political interests, fame, and the desire for power.
To save this ignorant world, She has silently accepted so much humiliation and misunderstanding. Only the Heavens can witness Her noble intent and Her most exceptional love.
Heherson T. Alvarez
Senator
27 June 1994
General CARLOS TANEGA
Commanding General
Western Command
Palawan
Dear General Tanega:
I'll be very much obliged if you can extend the assistance of your good office to the bearer of this note, Ms. TONG X, so that she and her companion can talk to certain key people in the camp to arrange for an assistance program for the refugees especially the children during the transition period.
Thank you so much,
Very truly yours,
HEHERSON T. ALVAREZ
Hon. LAURO L. BAJA, JR.
Assistant Secretary
Chairman, T.F.I.R.A.A.
Dept. of Foreign Affairs
Manila
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
It pains me to know the hardships, sufferings and sacrifices that the well-meaning members of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai's Meditation Association have to go through just to help their fellowmen in the Vietnamese Refugee Camp in Palawan hereby headed by Ms. TONG X.
I am sincerely hoping for your kind assistance, Mr. Ambassador, for I cannot accept in conscience how those in charge can possibly deny them, the right to help and assist the Vietnamese refugees in Palawan. It is almost inhuman to deprive Ms. Tong X and the members of her group the right to visit and help the refugees who have suffered so much and continue to suffer, physically and emotionally.
I pray that you would heed this call for justice and fairness for humanitarian reasons.
Yours truly,
MANUEL L. MORATO
Chairman and
Acting General Manager
P.S. Mr. Ambassador, Master Ching Hai is a personal friend and I must assure you that She is a very kind and benevolent person.
*Master shed tears when reading this letter. She often told the
closed
disciples how kind Mr. Morato is and how good it is that
Philippines has such a person.
This refers to the request for the representatives of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Association for permission to enter the Philippine First Asylum Camp. In a meeting this afternoon, the representatives have explained that their main purpose in requesting entry in to find out how they can offer assistance for training the asylum-seekers in preparation for their repatriation to Vietnam later this year. In this regard, it would be appreciated if the PFAC Administration, together with representatives of the NGOs operating in the Camp, can meet with them to find out the appropriate modalities for this assistance. Access to the camp may be granted to the group for the purpose of this meeting. We shall appreciate receiving a report from the Administrator on the outcome of the meeting. This will then serve as the basis for evaluating the request of the group for access to the camp.
LAURO L. BAJA. JR.
Chairman. TFIRAA
20 June 1994
15, July
This is not in consonance with para 3c of letter by PFAC administrator dated 7 June '94. The program should be for Volreps only. This should be explicit.