By Nomy T. Muhal

Mrs Muhal is principal of Magballo Catholic High School, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

On 10 March 1982 news broke about the murder of Mayor Pablo Sola of Kabankalan in an ambush. Many rumors were heard but we didn’t expect that three priests and six lay leaders actively involved in the building of Basic Christian Communities, Kristianong Katilingban, would be accused.

At first, I didn’t bother, for I knew my husband Conrado and the priests weren’t responsible for such a crime but I was surprised when a group of uniformed military men arrived and surrounded our house. Captain Tortosa, their leader, came near our door and asked where my husband was. It happened that he wasn’t at home and thus after a while the group went away. That day was the beginning of our sleepless nights for we didn’t know what would happen next. Everyday thereafter military men were seen in the vicinity which led us a sense of chaos. Fear was everywhere. I wasn’t certain whether we would still be alive next day. 

I had two children at this time, Cecille, two years and two months, and Ellainne, three months old. Though I was young then, what was on my mind was, ‘I know God is with us, for what we are doing is for the good of His people’.

It was 6 May, the feast of San Isidro, patron of Inapoy, part of the chaplaincy of Tabugon where Fr Niall O’Brien was assigned, and Father Gore, the six lay leaders and company attended the celebration. When my husband told me that they were going to Inapoy, I told him to take the necessary precautions, for news of impending arrests because of ambush was already being heard. My concern was not so much at the possibility of losing a husband but rather because of our children, still so small. 

Information reached us early that afternoon of the arrest of Fathers O’Brien and Gore and of Conrado and the other five lay leaders at Inapoy and that they had been brought to the headquarters of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) in Kabankalan. Wives and other members of the community panicked but later decided to go to Kabankalan. Since my parents were residing in Oringao, a barrio of Kabankalan, I left my children with them. When we arrived at the PC headquarters we found many priests there and we had discussions with them about what we should do. This in a way consoled us but fear engulfed me, knowing that many church workers had already been ‘salvaged’ (murdered by representatives of the state). The group was later released after Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich of Bacolod asked that they be let out on bail. The day was a holiday and the group were arrested again the following Monday. 

A marathon trial was held in Kabankalan and the prisoners transferred to Bacolod where they were imprisoned for twelve months. Many more things happened but I considered them part of the journey towards salvation, towards the Kingdom of God. As a wife and mother, I considered this a challenge to my faith and my strength. As the Bible says, Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3). It is also through this that we become closer to God. Problems and trials make us weak but it is in our weak moments that we become strong for it is those moments that we remember our God. 

I feel and believe that I am stronger now than I was before for I was able to accept wholeheartedly the passing away of my husband four years after The Negros Nine were set free and was able to support and nurture my four daughters. Rizalee and Stephanie were born after my husband came home. I do believe they too have become strong through this experience. 

You may contact the author at 0441 Burgos St, Kabankalan City, 6111 Negros Occidental. 

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (NAB).