When Mariflor G. Parpan acts as a spokesman for the Kalinga-Isneg Self-Determination Movement (KISSM), she is acting as a partisan, not as a disinterested scientist and so it is inappropriate, either for her or for the media to identify her as an anthropologist (Veritas, May 16).

While I am unhappy about that brand of academic entrepreneurship that makes people like Mrs. Parpan parachute into places like the CordiIleras, write a thesis, and parachute out to get some fancy academic title, I consider even more reprehensible that brand of moral entrepreneurship that makes people like Mrs. Parpan use their academic credentials to establish themselves as spokesmen for people who cannot speak for themselves.

I am sure that Mrs. Parpan has a deep concern for the people of the Cordilleras. But I wish this deep concern would make her suppress her "natural" maternal instincts, for them, shut her mouth, and let them speak for themselves.
 

PASTOR RAVAL