Chapter 16
The Plebe
(Proud Cadette on their uniform. Source: Microsoft Bing. Retrieved. 07-13-2022)
Capt. Estrada's service jeep speeded off swiftly after dropping Taklin at the PMA façade.
"Good luck and be strong in spirit" were all that he remembered from his new mentor.
The sun gradually set its rays penetrating like arrows from above blinding his eyes while the jeep sped off leaving him behind.
"You can make it in other words," he told himself.
" What if I would not survive when subjected to the baptism of fire later?" his alter ego tells taking him aback.
"If I would remain unscathed the better; if not, it is immaterial as long I lost while joining the race," he convinced himself answering the good wish of Capt. Estrada.
"At least, I could determine my limit," he further qualified.
"Go for broke if need be," he recalled a bit of advice to him by Lorna back home.
"Life is like a forest where you are yet to forage in jungle fall of snakes, bats, wolves, and what have you."
He had already shown his mettle in high school and conquered it; ergo, it's not farfetched that he could make it. It's been his principle that unless life is lived to the fullest, it is only half-lived and does not even merit any form of struggle whatsoever. Sounding like St. Paul's synthesis of 'living life abundantly', he feels resolved all the more by scaling the walls of the Philippine Military Academy. One thing is sure though, about himself, he is more than willing to submit himself sacrificing and possibly pushing himself even farther beyond his natural human endurance. He did this by complying with the 100 pushups as his entrance to the camp. The challenge among his classmates – Driarco, Louie, Tess, Josefil, and the rest of the gang – so intrigued him still vividly imprinted in his mind. He would recall a movie of a similar challenge mutually agreed on by a bunch of friends – all of them soldiers. The first union held the following year was successfully attended.
There was almost one hundred percent attendance. But as the years passed by with them engaging in war zones, the members gradually decreased until only one was left surviving. Nonetheless, the fellow still visited occasionally the place only as a commitment to the group. He would offer spiritual bouquets – prayers, attending mass, saying rosaries on the tomb- to his fallen comrades in arms. The plot of the movie was so dramatically woven that the more he searched for the meaning of the war, the more he was drawn to reality. That like the rest of the gang, he too would die. It's just a question of time and maybe, timing. Possibly, also luck. But the thought of having harnessed himself all through the years made him ready for any eventualities death included.
"Where would we all be heading to anyway if not but up. Where to go, where to go every door seems closed for me," recalling a plaintive song of disappointment. This did not discourage Taklin. He remains undaunted and resolved of making it on the contrary. It's where the real action takes place.
"Who is it who said that life is easy to live once you have conquered the fear of death?"
Sporting a brand new flat top haircut and shaving the remaining whiskers and sideburns, he looked clean, dignified, and oh yes, more handsome from the reflection of the anticipating the quota of hundred push-ups and similar punishments to dirty-looking incoming plebs. True enough, those whose hairs were uncut were given the punishment that early –ten thousand meters run in the oval, executing push-ups in between.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Your name please," inquired the military policy surveying suspecting the neophyte in the organization.
"Taklin de la Rosa Sir,' He answered with attention.
"Batch what?"
"Of course 1979 Sir."
"Which province you're from?"
"Osigan . . . "
"Aha, the Marble county."
"Sir, yes Sir," he thundered.
"Sponsors .... "
"Joselito Ludimer and Capt. Henry Estrada Sir."
"Organization?"
"RSM," his quick reply without any reservation.
"Great kid. Good, you would be one with us . . .," The MP acknowledged as he tapped gently the broad shoulder of Taklin.
"Welcome to the club. Hope you would survive. You would it seems as if your personality is survival personified. Not all applicants are that fortunate soul you know making it.
"The selection process is just very tough and competitive" added the medium-built and sinewy military officer as if Taklin is long lost friend coming back to the organization.
"Okay bro kindly look at your name and the corresponding number on the roster of the incoming PMErs upstairs. You could proceed to your room in three minutes and you should report back for your initial briefing together with the fortunate freshmen. Don your athletic outfit, please."
"We will be touring you all around the campus and most importantly we would start testing your endurance in the field. Get what I mean?"
"Sir, yes sir," Taklin snapped back perfunctorily. He went all the way in haste to nearby Corregidor looking for his name. Taklin de la Rosa - 37859. Coming back to the formation he complied with activities for the day and was now looking for his room. He got it. A lady usherette led him to his room. It's quite spacious with two tables, two lampshades, two beds, and two cabinets.
"Enough to accommodate two Plebs."
"Yap," her response.
"The comfort room is right on the left-wing of this building. It's open twenty-four hours a day. It's all yours."
"Thanks, beautiful lady and the library please?"
"It's downstairs and you can have as many materials you'd like to read making your day. World History, literature, geography, sciences, and all that. David Copperfield, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Wuthering Heights, biographical sketches of great American President from Carl Sandburg, and too many other works by Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Emily Bronte, Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Shakespeare, and all that. But I hope you should include it in your reading lists Filipiniana section. That's should be the real stuff each pleb should be first busy about reading. "Rizal's Noli and Fili though not must-reading would be a good review. Remember how our forefathers used to read these books secretly – in toilets - before or earned the ire of Spanish Friars. And of Bonifacio's 1896 Revolution strategies. Same with Emilio Jacinto. Do you recall the former's 'Pag-asa' written just below his signature enamored him to the Katipuneros losing hope? And or of Emilio Aguinaldo's verdict in assassinating Bonifacio. He did by the way order the murder and his brother in broad daylight yet."
"Seems ours' is one of the most sophisticated libraries. . . "
"Not just in Manila but throughout Asia. Microfilms and all latest editions of various disciplines. Name it and we've got it here."
"How about the gym?"
"We've got it in the separate building. The physical exercise you know is part of your training here."
"A man with a healthy body also possesses a healthy mind."
"You're right. We have it developed here unless one bribes the medical doctor giving you clean Bill of health despite deteriorating physical condition."
"You mean those undesirable ones in the prestigious military academy?"
"Rarely! Save their intelligence far outweighing their physical deformities.'
But these are the only exception to the roles."
"Thanks indeed. Unfortunately, I still don't know your name.'
"Janette Gonzales."
"Working .... "
"As librarian."
"No wonder you know all the materials here."
Jeanette nodded approvingly.
"It's what I finished in College. Library science. I've been thrilled you know by books since I was small. Whether they are fiction, history, biography, science, or literature. Oh, I just dig all of them especially fiction They are a good substitute for history books and more excellent materials. What do you think?"
"Without Seeing the Dawn by Lamberto Avellana."
"Great Filipino classics."
"Maybe at par with Rizal's Noli and Fili."
"Good but there are too many others. And indeed, they tell us better, like an inside commentary of a sportscaster during any boxing championship fight or basketball contest, who's fooling whom, the oppressors and the oppressed, the politicians or taxpayers, victors or victims?"
"Gee, very bright ideas making my day. You should be in institutions or universities of higher learning as a professor."
"No, I don't. I would rather stay here than work with students. I just hate you know teaching and then receiving the starvation salary. And
what if the students under me are morons ...?"
"A blessing in this planet of many ignoramuses.... "
"Yes, but what would you get teaching dumb people anyway. They should be made fertilizers. Know what I mean?"
"Killing by relegating them where they rightfully belong!":
"You're right but I'm just joking. You should be hanged first for your subtle idea of subjecting ignoramuses to capital punishment."
"It's you who said that. I didn't. Now it's mutual. Why all this talk on dying when there is living, of becoming – the very essence of existence as some existentialist like Sartre would say."
"Like taking philosophy I supposed."
"Very much. I'd like to take it as a major here in undergrad."
"Nice thought. I'm wondering how it is related to killing people later in the field," Janette tested Taklin taking the fellow aback.
"What do you think? Just asking like you. Yours' is better than mine I guess."
"Oh come on. Why do you intend to become a military officer in a premier institution like PMA in the first place?"
"Because you're around, Taklin flirted sending Janette's face red blood shooting up her face."
"You're too young. Study first kid. You've got all the time to engage later and not to me," the librarian answered.
"Why stay in this male-dominated academe.
Are openings with attractive salaries yet by private agencies or corporations for instance not tempt you?"
"Big corporation, yes. It is enticing. But not all the time especially when you have something very important thing in your mind."
"Like what?"Taklin snapped.
"Like helping put order in this troubled country through PMA."
"Are you a member of RSM?" Asked Taklin taking a cue from Janette receiving no answer in return
"Why is there anything wrong?" the good lady broke out.
"None, I just admire your gut feeling. Capt. Estrada gave me an impromptu lecture of your cause."
"And what about it?"
"It's the real thing."
"Planning to be one?"
"Hopefully .... "
"Great. Welcome to the club."
"I think I'm not yet in."
"Unless you have your worth shown at the battlefield."
"Good you joined RSM."
"Again, but I don't believe in the superiority of man over woman. It's just that our culture puts us, women, in a bad light as if we're that cheap commodity. Look at the announcements on several job openings. What has age, height, experience, and all that got to do with the capability of females to deliver the goods? What is so special to men that we women could not do or perform. I couldn't think of any. To think that even the texture of the skin, the figure of fingers, and all that they sum up as pleasing personality are solicited to me is ridiculous. They must be up to something evil making their intent doubly suspicious. Look whatever it means here that gender becomes a variable"
"Nice meeting you Jeanette. I'm 437859 or simply Taklin. My name is in vernacular. But mind you it's one of the best names we have in the village. At least, it's what my mother told me. Don't worry I'll pass later an order opening PMA admission for women – the bright ones – like you," he said reciprocating the good cheer of his newfound friend inside the academy.
Little of course, did Taklin realize that his conjecture became reality when PMA opens its admission to female applicants later.
"I wish you good luck. Save your adrenaline for your difficult training here and in the library. And remember your promise when you become President of the PMA."
He hurriedly put on his sports outfit and after surveying his room, the cabinet, study table, and spring bed went downstairs.
Executing a snappy salute to Lot. Co. Pancho the Supt. Of the PMA standing over the platform, he situated himself at the hearing distance to hear all things the Supt. would deliver. Looking around, he would notice that almost all, save one, were neat. All eyes were fixed on the Superintendent.
"Good morning boys," the superintendent blared through the megaphone.
"Good morning to Sir," roared the incoming plebes.
"It's good to see you folks young as you are enjoying vitality entering this noble institution. I welcome you all with open hearts and minds to this holy place. Many Filipinos have already come and go in the portal of this academy.
"Some survived the rest have their bodies felled to the ground. The unfortunate ones died, of course, so why not. We are not mortals anyway. But mind you dying for the love and defense of the country is the sweetest legacy one could ever leave in this world. Just asking, what if the cause of death is a bullet from a Filipino himself there in war zones. We don't care. The country is caught on fire said St. Teresa of Avila many centuries past. It is not a proper time to pray. The country still does. Just look at the top stories in any of our national dailies. Killing, salvaging, massacre, kidnapping here and there. When would this fire be extinguished? No one knows. For as long as man is enslaved by greed for power, glory, and money our country would continue suffering. And do you like that this bleeding would go on unabated? I don't think so otherwise you would have not been here."
There ensued brief silence as Col. Pancho surveyed once more his audience waiting for any brave souls to raise questions and or clarification. None.
"I hate giving you this kind of talk as I might pre-empt your sanity and judgment. But better to lay down this early our card than not at all because our life is practically different consecrated to the far higher noble purpose for other men – protecting their lives, property, and country from godlessness, restlessness, and lawlessness."
"But like a priest, ours is also consecrated for a nobler purpose that of defending our country, securing its territories from enemies both from the left, right, and center. I mean the communist and those who have messianic complex from the ranks of the bureaucracy."
"Quite incredible but true. I might be too idealistic about it but I believe that loving our country is tantamount to lying to oneself for the greater glory of God. Isn't it that God commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves anyway," the superintendent preached? That makes his statement infallibly valid no one among his listeners challenged it. He went on narrating his exploits, the drama unfolding in his life in school, battlefield, community, and church.
"Life is full of a challenge indeed. And it's good to redirect our energies to that call. Our country you see is the only one we've got. There is no use fighting against each other. There should be order in the first place. But look there is chaos instead. No wonder President Marcos came to the rescue. Ours is also part of that effort.
The President can't do alone containing that restlessness. We should come to his rescue. Thus, the need of enforcing the law. And what would you do when reason fails. Probably, the force will!"
"What's the use of creating these laws if we could not promulgate it in our land, if I may ask you?"
"Mind you our task ahead is very tough. Those who think otherwise are encouraged to leave this premises right away anytime.
You need not inform me. You can arrange it yourself with the registrar anytime. And you can have your fare back home free. We need only those who have the heart to withstand the rigor of the training. In short, we don't need cowards. We need men who could answer the need of the time that of defending the country, its territories, and yes most importantly, its people. You're right, there's no substitute for bravery."
"Freedom's for the brave only Sir," Taklin recalled the familiar maxim from Horace in high school.
"Thanks.
I'm giving you extra merit for your honesty. Must be freedom-loving gentleman yourself?"
"I am!" Taklin echoed getting the attention of the plebs nearby.
"Remember, democracy was never given on a silver platter by our ancestors to us. They fought for it against the Japanese, Spanish Colonizers, Americans, commies, and what have you. You should know we are still fighting it out securing democracy this time not against foreign invaders but against our very own brothers waylaid by godless ideology who are up in grabbing power from us."
"What a shame? For their extra effort grabbing it from us, we're returning the compliment due to them: bullets on their heads! Why not. We will fight whatever the cost whether on any battlefields or in any forum in the community, university, or even inside the church.
If we could confuse them while fighting, the better. If we have to fight tooth and nail to preserve democracy, we will do it as we've done in the past. We are doing it today and we will continue doing it in the future. God only knows if we would survive. Better die fighting than die as cowards so to speak."
"Never mind whatever happens as long as we are doing our share. That's why we have PMA. It will help us fix what in a lifetime we could do in four years. By that time, you are ready. Then history would already be there to vindicate us whether we become heroes or villains. But I hope the exploits of Lapulapu, Rajah Sulaiman, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Luna brothers, and scores of others who for many centuries kept the flag of democracy alive waving proudly in the skies, would not be in vain. Or I'll have what you're got in between your legs cut off. . . , your two balls I mean," he said sending his captive audience laughing. The audience's eyes were all glued to the Superintendent however making their day animated.
"And now for a sensitive issue, each one would probably like to ask but couldn't. What's the status now of our struggle in the country? The state is in limbo, the reds might say. There's a power struggle in the AFP itself and chances might lead to the disintegration of the entire Armed Forces, another would say. There's bloodshed everywhere, the media might also sensationalize."
"Which one is true? Depending on who is speaking perhaps."
"Well, to put it bluntly, whether we like it or not there would always be excesses in our fight against the rebels. Others would call it aversion. What's in a name?"
It's the price we have to pay for our defense of democracy. It's rather scary alright but what could we do sometimes fate is not on our side. Just in case you feel like turning back, by all means you could. We're gentlemen anyway. I'm not intimidating you all either."
"I repeat, it's the only one we've got just as we have also that one life given to us by God let each one of us respect it. I may sound religious about it but that's it. No one is above the law."
"For your training here, we all have the facilities you need for your stay with us. It's all yours. I hope you make the best out of them. Mind you, our institution is considered one of the best in Asia. You need not go visiting other libraries or gyms to read or sweat it out. Ours is far more sophisticated than others in town. There's also a St. Ignatius chapel, the oval, and a classroom complete with laboratories. Everything is well prepared for you here – refectory, dormitory, and the rest."
"The weather, yes, here is also perfect. Keep both your mind and body always fresh. It's important. The government takes cognizant of that too. That's why we have this academy established right here on top of this mountain. Okey boys are you still listening or just pretending to listen to me?"
"Sir yes Sir," the thunderous reply.
"We're all wide-awake Sir and I think your resonant voice would not allow us to even just take one-minute nap," Taklin volunteered anew. Unsolicited laughter from the audience ensued.
"Great gentleman. At least I know that you're all wide awake, "the Superintendent's voice soared once more.
"Any question so far?"
"What if I would not survive Sir?" asked one applicant out of the blue.
"Then report to the registrar's office for your fare back home. Must be sleeping while I was talking earlier."
"I'm right here before you listening," answered swiftly the Superintendent meanwhile forcing an earlier pleb to run around the oval ten rounds as punishment.
"Better for you to go back home and plant sweet potato than stay with us wasting your time if you don't put up the effort. What would you do anyway if chances are you withstand the rigors of training but could not even fire a single bullet against your enemies later in war zones?
If I were you, I would rather have my balls cut in between my legs off than serve the military. Never mind if your girlfriend would leave you. How would you make her happy without one anyway," sustained laughter ensued?
"You see folks don't ever get me wrong. There's just no substitute for bravery. Intelligence and bravery should go hand in hand. Yes, but of course, we need luck but that is only considered an X-factor by the military. If we could conquer our enemies without firing a single bullet, we should pursue it," he emphasized pointing his forefinger to the ground.
"To err is human indeed but to fix things up requires four years stay in the PMA so to speak. Good luck. Hope you would have a nice and fruitful stay with us. My great thanks for your general listening and patience. May all you survive," the superintendent said before withdrawing from the audience.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Taklin's first year was very tough. Normally, it's the toughest of the four years' stay in PMA. And as it gradually elevated to higher year, the manageable the training became. Lt. Col. Pancho was right, he thought. Only a few survived, half of his classmates were out. But he remains undaunted if only to prove that he meant business taking military science there. It's just a question of patience. He got bravery and intelligence, he's right. But they're not enough. That's where the superintendent failed. Patience is the missing nexus. It outlived the abhorrence of saying forced respect to the senior officers who are exacting "Sir" from the subordinates. Thousands of push-ups, jogging, and other punishments out of the heck of it made at the slightest provocation became routinary in the end. It's part of the challenge of becoming one with the chosen group like Capt. Estrada and Major Ludimer. Nothing less. No shortcut. The harder, the better. And good that Takliln outgrows it.
On the contrary, there were dramatic and colorful chapters in his stay at PMA.
"It's the reality," Taklin himself later learned. Who could also forget the mock battles engaged sending terror down his spine? Ambush, psyche-war, snake crawl, commando tactics, blitzkrieg attack, and the rest. They are all baptism of fire. But it's only a prelude to a harsher reality he's bound to meet later. And that's where survival of the fittest would finally be tested. Would he survive? This is another dimension of life he is yet to face and experience.
"If others were able to make it, why couldn't he
follow suit," he challenged himself again.
"It just doesn't make any sense investing so much time and effort at the PMA for many years marked by grueling hardships and then folding away like a marshmallow in the last stretch of your stay in the academy. Unwise investment indeed."
"I'll go there once I'll cross the first bridge," he told challenging himself all the more instead.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Time was fleeting like a jet plane. Graduation came. Unfortunately, it was ironic that while he just graduated with flying colors, tragedy right away struck his family. Rona was abducted from her school having been mistakenly included in the Roll of Battle by the military back home. She was never seen again nor have returned to her teaching post since then. Two more of his brothers were not as lucky. They were brutally murdered one after the other by forces beyond his knowledge. This incident prompted his parents to withdraw from their farm and resettled in Poblacion leaving farming for good. Good that Mang Tonio and Eliza evacuated otherwise, they too would have been burned to death when armed combatants with bonnets set their house on fire without any justifiable reason at all. Fortunately, they were lucky they miraculously survived the ordeal when the armed men returned and burned their farmhouse. Canon, their youngest son was not as lucky. He never came back after he was taken as a guide by the group. Must have been shot while coming back from their mission.
"Thrice in a row!" Taklin could hardly believe the fate happening involving his family.
The pattern is fast unfolding like fiction caught in a maze leaving many observers twirling in the background. Ordinary but concerned taxpayers of Osigan were also caught in deep bated breath probably reeking with anger and impatience over the incredibly slow pace of addressing the hostility innocent people sacrificed.
"What would happen next as the plot and subplots thicken building into a classic story in the making catching everybody off guard from an unexpected turn and twist of events. Who's just really next?" was disturbing questions that remained unanswered.
Unfortunately, the Taklin family's massacre is such a despicable story earning a bad niche probably as the country's most dangerous place for any taxpayers engaging their business relegating some hotspots in Mindanao to the background. Lately, two or three journalists were added in separate incidents to the long list of statistics further aggravating that infamy smacking right before peace-loving Osigan residents. As enjoined by concerned public officials albeit considered as the road less traveled, it was behooved upon our officials in authority to fast-track solving the problem. Sadly, though it's the other way around. They messed up instead with the issue in the case of the Commission of Human Rights and the Department of Justice passing the buck instead of leaving the problems unsolved.
"Where is now our justice and legal system in solving the case, whose victims are innocent civilians?"
"The incident hit us hard and we would not probably recover lost prestige and confidence from people around the country should the issue further dragged all the more ad infinitum," Taklin synthesized.
"Fiction should have no room in this story. But look what happened to the case. Instead of addressing the issue and solving the crime of the day with dispatch, it was dragged all the more requiring a miracle to close the case. "
"Two vital witnesses' lives were already silenced and maybe their blood would continue haunting us the longer while our authority is sitting on their job. It is just hoped that DOJ would make good their promise doing their job delivering justice to where it is due," were some of the complaints, unfortunately, falling on deaf ears.
First to fall was an uncle of a witness. That happened two months after. The next casualty falling on the dragnet ending as another statistic of the case was Sostheno Phame, alias Koko the confessed accomplice of the suspect. As of the latest, Larry Quero, the counsel of the family said they have four vital witnesses of the massacre. But better coordination with DOJ in providing protection or the two vital witnesses might again be considered dead men walking.
Koko openly admitted that he was a willing participant in the conspiracy for a fee leading to the cold-blooded death of de la Rosas shocking the taxpayers of Osigan. The motive – clearing the road towards the election next year.
"If so then, the casualties were mere sacrificial lambs. Nong Tonio was the target. Possibly because of his winnability for Mayor next election," the thought playing in his mind.
"What happened therefore was sending home a message –scaring his family to leave the town for good or the series of events would go further unabated until they are wiped out from the municipality," the scary reality unfolding.
Koko was actually in Manila two months earlier in March and April but returned to town when DOJ denied protection for his two scheduled interviews. Leaving Manila, his days were already numbered as he went back to the province. Soon unforeseen incident overtook him as he found himself soaked in his blood in Manila before he could fulfill his promise of returning home to spill the beans. With his death, he buried with him many important leads otherwise would have established possible indictment and punitive penalty to the mastermind of the killing.
Koko stated that Rona was the first to be killed followed by his two brothers to give the family no chance of filing Mang Tonio's candidacy. The mastermind. would then order seven gunmen to fire indiscriminately toward their houses from a vehicle despite an earnest request from the victims pleading to save their lives. At least four more others were killed outright in that arbitrary burst of gunfire, he declared. Shown at the height of arrogance, the mastermind has even the gall uttering ominous phrase as he bade adieu to his men after the surrender: "Nothing will happen to their case. I have all the guns, gold, and goons to handle that," the Philippine Star columnist would write later of the incident quoting categorically verbatim the words of the mastermind. And true enough, Koko just suffered in silence. Why not as the Mastermind already insinuated. The problem was they didn't take seriously his words for it. Now they are reaping the dirty dividend. Such incident gripped the town with anxiety peace seemingly illusive what with the untouchable Almighty Big Brothers intimidating to silence any witnesses. Meanwhile, Asst. Chief Prosecutor Richard Nolledo assigned to handling the case will validate and conduct cross-examination of the new witnesses in due time. He is Dino Osias, confessed trusted assistant of OIC Vice Mayor Victor Reyes, replacement of Mayor Torres. Will, he or will he not spill the beans?"
"Or will he not succumb to the temptation of the almighty peso and buckle down in the end before the closure of the case."
"The better DOJ now provides him security to secure his safety and the revelation he will declare." Taklin thought.
"Enough for Cagra and other high-ranking officials whose impartiality of treating the case was proven, suspect. Too many bloods already spilled out painting the town red."
"Their voices from the mass grave have been crying justice to high heaven. Better to act swiftly or another unexpected incident happens from this dark episode happening only in fiction.," the thought pre-occupying Taklin.
Truth to tell, Taklin's words proved prophetic. His most dreaded incident happened to complete the vicious cycle of violence in his province. The impact hit him hard like no other. Now, the answer to whatever happened becomes an elusive question. And granted there are answers, how in the world that his family with him identified with the Powers-that-be as the military are not even exempted from violence.
Death to Fr. Driarco's family represents the innocent sector being identified with the church. Here he is now suffering the same fate for unknown reasons he could not understand let alone, accept.
"How is this and what's up for all of this?" he queried possible answer blowing in the wind.
. . . . . . . . . . . .