Poet. Orator. Peasant Organizer. Freedom Fighter
Mayong joined the long list of activists who fell prey to the evil powers of this terrorist state. But in doing so, he also joined the list of martyrs who died while fighting for justice, freedom, and democracy.
BY TERENCE KRISHNA LOPEZ
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Contributed to Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 20, June 24-30, 2007
It is definitely one of the saddest ironies life offered last June 17, 2007. He is supposed to be celebrating father’s day with his beautiful daughter. Instead, amid the rain and sunshine, Mario Mundin Auxillo died inside his room at the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City.
Mario Auxillo was born on January 19, 1957 as the sixth child of ten siblings to a family of rich peasants. Mayong, as he was fondly called by family, close friends, colleagues and comrades, devoted most of his well-lived life to the people’s struggle in Bohol and the rest of the Central Visayas region.
Despite having earned a degree in AB Political Science from the University of Bohol, which would earn him a ticket to a better life, he chose to walk the road less traveled in the service of the people.
Dedicated organizer
In 1986, three years after earning his college degree, he was elected as 1st councilor of their barangay (village) Mabuhay Cabiguhan in Trinidad town.
He eventually resigned from his post and joined the provincial federation of peasants in Bohol Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon (HUMABOL-KMP) and worked with the organization full-time. He became one of the active organizers of Trinidad-Talibon Integrated Farmers Association (TTIFA) which successfully occupied the land they were tilling.
He was elected secretary-general of HUMABOL a year later.
Since then, Mayong became one of the more popular peasant organizers in the region. He willingly worked in different rural communities in the province of Bohol and in Cebu.
He was also a founding member of the board of the Central Visayas Farmers Development Center, Inc., one of the most respected non-governmental institutions in the Visayas.
State terrorism
Mayong’s death is definitely part of the state’s program to eliminate activists from the Left. Mayong has been a consistent target of a black propaganda campaign being conducted by state security forces in the region. He was portrayed as a communist terrorist in leaflets and caricatures spread all over the province.
But as grim and determined as he was, Mayong never faltered in his activities in the service of the people. He ran for provincial board member in the 2nd district of Bohol and was the secretary general of Bayan Muna Party (People First) in Bohol. Before his death he was working with different peasant and fisherfolk organizations in the municipalities of Dagohoy, San Miguel, Trinidad, Talibon and Bien Unido, where he was shot three times at 10:30 p.m. of June 15.
Earning the ire of the military because of his activities, he was under constant surveillance until he was shot by a certain Hilario Mandahao Diola, a member of the anti-communist vigilante group Alimaong and a known asset of Philippine Army's 15th Infantry Battalion.
Poet and orator
If there is one thing one can easily notice when talking with Mayong is his down-to-earth charisma and wit which can send the most serious person rolling on the floor laughing. His jokes were always a hit during gatherings because of his perfect timing, delivery and antics. Although a grim and determined organizer, he is also remembered by his colleagues, friends and comrades as a comic.
He also had a gift for words. He was a poet and orator. He had written a number of poems, in the Visayan language, depicting the struggle of the people and the long-awaited victory of the masses. From his school days and up to the time that he was already a full-time activist, he had been receiving praise and recognition for his poems.
He was also a gifted orator. He was able to put his oratorical skills to good use in mobilizations and organizational gatherings. He often captured the attention of his audience whenever he held the microphone. His poetry and speeches were always missed when he was not around.
But more than his poems and speeches, it is his untiring service to the people that would never be forgotten. He joined the long list of activists who fell prey to the evil powers of this terrorist state. But in doing so, Mayong also joined the list of martyrs who died while fighting for justice, freedom, and democracy.
Long live the People’s struggle! Contributed to Bulatlat
