Chapter 28
Attack Mode
(The picture was culled from Social Media. They are from Negros Oriental . Retrieved 07-13-2022. The group must have consolidated their number showing their strength for possible hostility.)
As if every second was connected to his heartbeat, Major Taklin's movement was swift but calculated every step of the way. The nearer they got, the faster his heartbeat. Taking a deep bated breath, he briefly paused and took cover with his two men under thick foliage through which they could see the panoramic view of an imposing Mt. Sungcal.
"Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls" he uttered while reviewing the perimeter of the target through his telescope. Why waterfalls? That's their cue leading to their target. What it covers inside is the real thing – the entrance to a cave where Commies holed in.
"There," he said, seeing the gentle waterfalls gliding swiftly down into a deep ravine with thick and verdant bushes providing natural beauty and cover conjuring awe and enchantment. Guarding the façade are four-armed rebels wearing camouflaged seven colors military uniforms carrying a telescopic carbine. And below along the slope were several others; two were playing chess and all the rest were on the lookout for possible intruders around.
"That's where we intend to zero in," he said to Sgts. Robles and Marquez took their turn viewing the dangerous target.
"And what about Snipers on trees and marksmen and women on the ground waiting for any action against any intruders," he thought realizing now the difficulty of their mission.
Recalling what the ten-year-old boy said earlier, "Now you can make my day," Taklin declared. He was damn right about the focus unless the computation of perimeter was wrong. Maybe, the first serving of the menu would be remiss of the target but definitely, not the second let alone, the third.
"This is the day to destroy and drive unwanted occupants of the mountain away. Never mind if we would disturb the spirits of anitos' dwelling and protect that sacred mountain. We would probably be disturbing their silence. The anitos would understand us why not helping them restore their domicile away from the grip of unwanted and dangerous temporary borders," he said in jest.
"Give me three fried chicken twenty-four by twenty-nine degrees heat," he radioed Lieutenant Benjamin in charge of the field artillery battalion ten kilometers away from the enemy line. Soon, three huge deafening explosions with Boybaracks manning the artillery came rushing by in sweeping cycles flying cutting the skylines felling trees hitting the ground revealing great damage to the rebels' camp sending hapless rebels scampering for cover from the unrelenting succeeding outburst of 105-millimeter diameter Howitzer artillery mortar.
"There," the first shot finally unleashed hitting the mark, Maj. Taklin might have exclaimed seeing the rebels helplessly in a panic running wild berserk like ants looking for cover from the blitzkrieg attack downstream. Seeing the rebels dropping to the ground dead perks him up wasting no time inflicting some more damage.
"Planting rice," he commanded his artillery men through his radio. Soon again combined artillery attacks from 89 mm and 91 mm and 155 mm in diameter mortars dropped all over the target hitting seemingly one after the other resulting in numerous casualties. No way the rebels could retaliate given the far distance of the field artillery battalion from their location. The attack was indeed very costly and lopsided causing severe damage to the hapless rebels. One was overheard griping in vernacular 'Walay canyonan, walay bazookahay' desperately running away from the target saving his dear life.
While they were on the big kill, Major de la Rosa knew that they were just barely scratching the surface starting their offensive and anything can happen depending on whose cause is lucky.
Conquering Mt. Sungcal would be the icing on the cake. Unless they have hoisted the Philippine flag over it. It's still immaterial and inconclusive claiming they could safely bring home the bacon. For instance, he is aware that those killed outside the mouth of the tunnel are merely forward observers of the rebels probably representing an excess of the rebels' strength whose great majority were spread everywhere notably inside the bunker. That's giving them a great challenge in penetrating the controversial hideout and it would be the next thing they have to do as soon as the MG 150 would be hovering in the air providing them air cover and spearheading an air attack. The arrival of additional combatants would be the start of a ground attack. By then, the simultaneous approach would facilitate their victory faster.
"But that is probably easier said than done," Taklin thought.
"The ground attack is most likely more of the advantage for the reds being hosts and in complete control of the terrain of the area."
He was right. Penetrating the enemy location even after the smoke cleared is just like going into the proverbial eye of the needle.
"But if this is the bridge we have to cross now, then be as it may." As tacitly agreed between him and Commanding Officer, the four routes towards the bunker would be exploited from the northeast to southwest, western portion to southern practically swarming the tunnel as planned. Unfortunately, as has been averred in the past, guerilla warfare played on the ground would in the end be in the rebels' favor the way Vietcong overwhelmed the Americans last Vietnam War.
Reaching the base of the cave, Major de la Rosa heaved a sigh of deep bated breath anyway. For the first time, he got nosebleeds and felt the heat thinking of his family back home.
"What if I would be brought home in the casket too," the thought playing on his mind.
"Good," he answered himself.
"But what if only it is his dog tag left, his body may be charred beyond recognition or left rotting in the forest," an ugly sight further pops out.
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"The ten-year-old boy seemingly was damn right," Taklin recalled. It's just like scaling two more additional Mt. Sungcal wiping out the reds on the road, trees, and along the slope. This he gradually felt the heat of the war engulfing while iron bars dropped to the ground in series as if on cue trapping them inside and sealing their exit.
Windows too were locked by the same familiar iron bars sending them goosebumps chilling. No use shouting and challenging them to go out from their hideout. It would still be their voices re-echoing back to them. Their only way out – is to swim across the channel fighting while still able or surrender. The catch however is they have to follow the same route given there's other no way out. Doing it could only mean one thing – fighting if they must come out from the water alive or dead when overrun and overwhelmed by the rebels. Fighting could be there if warm bodies returned coming back alive as proof of life.
Outside snipers had their day full hitting the military combatants one after the other in the counter-attack that ensued. Aggravating their entry were numerous traps, and landmines buried in many strategic places killing sizeable armies, maiming some, and worst, blowing many others into bits and pieces beyond recognition rendering their dead bodies a bloody mess. The unfortunate ones died eating poisonous fruits, tropical ones like mangoes, and guavas injected with poison along the road. Same for those who were unable to control their thirst by sipping water laced with poison from the spring.
Good that reinforcement just arrived on time however providing the necessary cover and support. What would have been a winning rally by the reds gradually turned in the armies' favor?
"How could they sustain their strength anyway when they were practically at the mercy of military gunship inflicting severe damage through its violent offensive spree downstream?"
By Taklin's rough estimate, more than a hundred reds were probably dead. Some of their bodies litter the ground. Fine, but this was made possible by a military attack down low. Giving the coup'd grace is what he is sent for, the notion now occupying his mind. Easier said than done though they are yet to navigate how to successfully penetrate the camp going against severe traffic of reds all over and inside the route.
"Where are the rest now? "
"They are holed in the bunker," he thought after the firing ceased giving them a fleeting glimpse of the devastated surroundings.
"Now go," the command from the base Camp said on his handset giving him the imprimatur to go on.
Wearing gas masks, Major de la Rosa heaving sigh of deep bated breath threw a poisonous hand grenade inside the bunker signifying their offensive dead serious business.
"Our turn. Brace yourselves with our offensive spree," he said spreading his men all keeping the pressure killing as many commies as possible.
He waited for any reds coughing to death but there were none. After the smoke cleared, what meets them were Immovable Feast to their eyes: ammunition laboratories, sophisticated facilities, software, laptop and all that, a conference room complete with audiovisuals, a big stand-by generator, library, and makeshift war room. On the left wing was huge storage on which the 'Department of Health' was posted revealing tons of rice, canned goods, medical supplies, kitchen utensils, and other stuff.
"Excellent camp here with complete facilities," the Major noted. But what stand out was the seemingly "No Exit" tag hanging behind their back. Except for the window overlooking pasture land down below where hundreds of heads of cows thrive on the feedlot its perimeter fence is secured by barbed wires. They realized they were trapped inside an enemy's lair. Farther down on the distant horizon were nipa huts and an artillery range where their artillery battalion retaliated unleashing their fury against rushing military troops.
"This is where Major de la Rosa and his men passed through earlier towards their entry to Mt. Sungcal. No indication of life there its ambiance still smelled of rotting dead bodies infested by flies. No semblance of trade and industry whatever. Nothing significant really except all sorts of military hardware stockpiled. The area was familiar to Taklin remembering the vivid description of now Colonel Estrada back then at his residence in Baguio during his baptism to RSM. It was the same territory they conquered showing victory while raising their firearms in a picture taken in broad daylight.
"Good for them they managed to come back alive and celebrated. Not sure if we could replicate their victory second time in a row," Major de la Rosa thought about undecided what was actually in store for them on this courageous act of duty.
"Depending on chance and luck why not knowing how unpredictable and precarious situation we are in," the fleeting feelings playing in his mind. His view was shattered and laidback hearing another iron bar dropping from behind to the ground sealing their exit through the mouth of the cave.
Taking this cue from Lt. Colonel Lim in the War Room, Sgts. Robles, Marquez, and him leading the pack of the advanced troopers arriving earlier moved on the second step – swimming across under difficult circumstances lest they might suffer a precocious reversal of fortune. Walking gingerly a few meters further, they stopped reaching a pool deciding to swim to the other side if they meant to proceed with the operation. There was no other option as the main entrance was already sealed with an iron bar trapping them inside the cave.
As if facing the blind wall, Major de la Rosa fidgeted two of his men to prepare to swim across the underground river to find out what they got on the other side. There was no sunlight silhouetting the bunker. The water was dark and the wave danced from the reflection of Diver's waterproof flashlights attached to their heads negotiating the underwater route towards the other side. Silence prevailed and only the splash of water could be heard while Major de la Rosa fidgeted with others behind to get ready to follow.
"Faster," he indicated raising his right fist closed up and down.
Three, five, ten, and thirty minutes passed no brave souls came back.
"Whatever happened to them that they were not able to send words back to us!" Major Taklin noted unease.
"Must have been hooked on treasures they might have discovered inside," he said in jest covering up the reality of real danger inside. He was just boosting the waning courage of the remaining embattled troops.
"But that's what they were sent there for rather see the area and ferret out whatever vital information and documents there were."
The other side of the story far real seeped into his consciousness and this one made him sick.
"Must have been held captive by rebels. Quiet a possibility considering they were trapped inside their hideout," the vicious cycle of insecurity feeding the Major and the group's impatience gradually cankering whatever remaining courage and confidence left in their hearts.
"Besides no way a person survives within three minutes breathing or their lungs explodes underwater," his conservative synthesis.
To give him the benefits of the doubt he pushed the completion of the penultimate mission leading his remaining men.
The first and second missions failed. This prompted Major de la Rosa to send Sgt. Robles and Marquez and two other remaining troops to handle completing the job.
"We'll manage. Wait we'll be right back as soon as we're done," Sgt. Robles uttered before diving into the water from the instruction of Major de la Rosa. He did reach the other side and a breathing spree regained coming out from the water. But as he opened his eyes cold muzzle of his long arm AK- 47 Armalite kissed his forehead. Instructing him to get up from the water both arms were raised, and an unanticipated question was asked: "Live or die?"
Nodding his head indicating his option for the life he right away took the radio on the instruction by his captor observing all his earlier companions shelved in one corner captive helpless. He called back instantly to Major de la Rosa on the other end. "We're all fine here. Area cleared." Major de la Rosa could only sigh of great relief recovering from anxiety with this positive news although tentative and feeling something is wrong.
"Good for the third led by Sgt. Robles and Marquez, there was feedback at least," he thought. But he must read the message between the lines as required of him as Commander of the group or they all be deadly incurring the slightest misinterpretation. This leaves him no option but to take the risk.
"Calculated risk, yes. Sometimes you lose or win depending on the occasion. But hoping to win this time," he prayed.
"At least this could be an equalizer and win-win solution never mind suffering reversals. The important thing we proceeded with was the offensive laying our lives for the country. All is left now was himself and a few remaining men.
"There's no other choice but to join the fun."
Whatever happens indeed why in the world not one returned? Not even hearing gunshots. Only deafening silence, the way they left earlier fascinated by the area. Three, five, ten, and thirty minutes passed no brave souls were coming back.
Others left stupefied earlier regained sanity and all together braced themselves swimming the other side purportedly joining an earlier pack. But before they could swim fresh blood mixing with crystal-clear water coming from the other side was spotted flowing down and gushing forth as if from the bosom of mother earth.
"But why he could not be traced back his receiver automatically went off," nagging question playing on his mind.
"This could be suicide mission my men subjected to Turkey shooting practice getting up from the water by rebels," Major Taklin de la Rosa foresaw playing Devil's Advocate this time.
"That is a mistake I cannot afford to commit," he analyzed. For the first time, he is bothered about what decision to take from the dilemma considering collateral damage might ensue for their respective family waiting at home. Anyway, he prepared for any eventuality that may accrue from such a decision. Bracing themselves for possible regrouping they prepare for possible intrusion swimming to the other side hopefully joining an earlier pack. But cock-ready for any eventuality.
Major de la Rosa almost vomited when he saw blood coloring the water red! But he did not lose heart.
"Seems to me we're heading on to the big surprise of our lives," he said.
"This is it! Bring them on baby" he uttered in disbelief.
The heat is on as Maj. Taklin knows they're caught in the" No Exit!" dilemma. And now the last straw – he and his few men remaining bracing to gamble – fighting it out by all means to save his men.
"Rescue mission?" that's how his new mandate has become
"No way a person survives within three minutes breathing or their lungs explode underwater," his conservative synthesis. Half men of his company were on guard this time and ready to return firing whenever provoked by the slightest distraction.
But "Negative," the report received. As advised, the MG 150 would be stationary hovering before the gaping hole directly facing the waterfalls covering the entrance of the cave to offer them the necessary backup. Bad luck tough.
The red's retaliation was on time. The Sikorsky military gunship was blown away anew its fragments easily disintegrating into the air. Its main trunk and propeller dropped straight to the ground washed away by strong currents of waterfalls down into the circuitous del Carmen river noted of pythons and deadly man-eating crocodiles. And before his two eyes could close for prayer lo the two lifeless bodies of Sgts. Robles and Marquez gradually slid down carried by flowing waterfalls. On their forehead were marks of identical holes most likely complemented by the rebels sending home the message specifically their fate and how far they would go proceeding with the intrusion of their camp. Soon dead bodies blood protruding from their forehead followed the current of water one after the other swiftly catching the destroyed MG 150 barred by huge lumber by the river.
Instantly, his radio received a signal. "Congratulation Officer you just made my day. Welcome aboard!"
"You are probably requesting us to do our favor like what we did to the fate of your two sergeants and some members of your platoon."
"But if you wish, again you still have enough time to make up your mind," to save your soul and that of your men."
"As your resilience might dictate you, go ahead further. You might be even able to get us the way you already did to our fallen comrades. Thanks for the compliment of shedding their blood on our hallowed ground. By all means, let us continue this hostility, and let's see who makes it at the end of the day," said the voice more resolved defending the cause of the movement.
"If you think you can conquer this camp leave this place alive Major. Think again! You can, why not. That if you're too good at outsmarting us. But no way, you and all of your men are now caught in a fix.... in a trap no less!". Voice off. A familiar voice there heard that of a teenager. And then it came back.
"How hard-headed you pigs are and what a show of arrogance. How short is your memory that no way you could annihilate us? But given our impending victory awaiting us. We've been there for many decades making our struggle the longest in the world. You and your troop would just be added to statistics given our impending victory awaiting us."
"And there's no let-up here. That is for sure as long as evil persists. You may kill us. That's fine and no problem there. If death is your bride maids same with us. Death is total growth we already resolved giving it as the ultimate sacrifice for our cause."
"Unfortunately, you can't unless you could afford to kill many others who would come after us. You could of course by offering a better idea. Incidentally, ours is better than yours, don't you think so? Now if we can't meet on common ground, let our atrocities continue," said the familiar voice.
"Yap, bring them on. All rhetoric here," Major de la Rosa uttered before the line was off short of saying 'I'll be right back!"
"We'll just manage. Wait until this hostility ends," Corporal Donasco quipped before plunging themselves into the water leaving Major de la Rosa and the rest catching their breath.
"Must have been also held captive by the rebels. Quiet a possibility considering it's their hideout," the vicious cycle of insecurity feeding the group's impatience growing slowly sapping their courage and eating whatever confidence left of their hearts. To give him the benefits of his doubt he sends the second serving new set of three men for a follow-up mission.
"Whatever happened indeed and whatever it takes we will proceed?" he said wondering still why not one of his troops has returned.
"There were even no gunshots heard only earsplitting silence the way they left earlier."
The succeeding event gives the clue to what is happening.
The answer was seen as their flashlights spotted fresh blood mixing with water all over coming out from the other side of the bunker! Major dela Rosa almost vomited smelling the familiar fresh blood blending the water. But there's no time to lose heart.
"This is it," he said fidgeting as his remaining men prepare the final delivery of the show of force.
On they went swimming simultaneously but cautiously towards the other side. Sad that they were easily annihilated, however. Like any turkey on target practice by rebels,' their unrelenting outburst of bullets rained them arising from water. Blood gushing forth from the bodies naturally thickened painting the water red all the more. The successive attack staccato sound of ripples heard all over ceased right away. The blitzkrieg offensive by Major de la Rosa coming out of the water did cause casualties from the rebels. But they were overwhelmed by the number of rebels waiting to butcher them up the ground. Worst, his captive troops earlier used as sacrifice human shields by the rebels were many. Most were first casualties. Sitting down and pushing the rebels down giving a favorable vintage view of the target just didn't entirely work.
Unseen and unanticipated, it was that unfortunate and fast.
"What could he do if such a thing happened? It could just be charged as an excess of war anyway," he recalled a familiar excuse.
Damage appeared after the smoke cleared. The Major survived but was severely injured. His biceps were bruised, his left elbow joint pierced and his neck seared by a bullet. The worst, was his stomach not sure if the intestines were affected.
It was a sorry sight. Major de la Rosa swayed his neck of the misfortune just happened. What could he do? The country is on fire. Offering prayer for his fallen troops and families, he called it a day. Looking at the ceiling of the cave surveying stalactites all over, he momentarily listened to sparrows raucously chirping as if protesting the destruction and killing witnessed. He thought the world stopped turning, his end near. This naturally happens meeting an accident you are caught between a life and death situation. Thinking it would be his last, he just holds on to this while paramedics attended to his injuries.
"This must be it," he thought his subconscious bailing him out from the pain felt.
Exhausted and with blood gradually dripping from injuries waning, he closed his eyes thanking the Lord realizing that this might be his end. but struggled on the excruciating pain
"Thanks for everything and to you Lord I leave for protection my family, friends and life" he uttered with resignation thinking this might really his end," he thought while hearing a whistle from the rebels to the tune of 'Let's go!' repetitively followed by an Armalite blowing that familiar tune indicating that hostility finally ended. Physically drained from exhaustion, he passed out.
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