Pearl Of The East | ✓

Chapter 37

I heave a sigh before entering thoroughly inside my office. Nang makarating sa loob ay inilapag ko ang dala kong bag at laptop. Kagaya nang inaasahan ko ay may panibago na namang hilera ng papeles ang nakalagay dito.

“Good morning po ma’am. Here’s the data about the rehabilitation centers in the country,” Zalysha greeted me and handed me a file. Isa-isa kong binasa ang mga nakasulat dito.

“GenSan, Davao, Cebu, Manila, Butuan, Cagayan and 30 other more cities already have it’s own rehabilitation centers that are enough to comply in your project ma’am,” tumango ako sa sinabi n’ya saka ko muling ibinalik sa kan’ya ang hawak kong papeles.

“Alright, the project should start tomorrow,” tumango s’ya saka lumabas.

Pinagsalikop ko ang dalawang kamay ko saka ito inilagay sa ilalim ng baba ko. Ilang sandali lang ay dumako ang tingin ko sa bag ko nang may maalala akong isang bagay. I grab my bag and took from it my wallet that contains the cheque which Styyx gave to me. Somehow Styyx is right. This money can build a lot of rehabilitation centers.

“Ma’am?” Wika ni Zalysha nang muli ko s’yang tawagin. Sinenyasan ko s’yang lumapit saka ko iniabot sa kan’ya ang hawak kong tseke. Tinitigan n’ya ito at agad na lumaki ang mga mata n’ya.

“Ano po’ng gagawin ko rito ma’am?” She inquired.

“Go to the bank, bring the PSG with you and withdraw that. Then give it to Mr. Alejandro. That’s the fund for my project,” I answered nonchalantly. She skeptically nodded at me as a response. Muli ko na lang ibinalik ang atensyon ko sa mga papeles saka ito inumpisahang basahin at pirmahan.

Matapos ang tatlong oras ay tuluyan na nga akong natapos. I sighed before grabbing the tea beside me. I let it bath my throat and calm my mind. Afterwards, I use the back of my palm to wipe my mouth.

Sandali akong hindi gumalaw at ipinako ko ang paningin ko sa bandila ng Pilipinas. Noon pa man ay alam ko na kung gaano kahina ang bansang ito sa pagbibigay ng hustisya. Kaya’t hanggang ngayon nga ay hindi pa rin nabibigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng pamilya ko.

My family’s case did trend in the whole country, it became the subject in everyone’s conversation. The authorities did try to respond at it and find justice. But as time passes by, it just became a history.

Isang araw ay gumising na lang ako na wala nang ginagawa ang mga awtoridad tungkol sa pagkamatay ng pamilya ko. Ang mga tao ay bumalik sa kan’ya-kan’ya nilang buhay na tila ba hindi nila alam ang tungkol sa brutal na pagpatay sa pamilya ko.

Everyone just get back on their life and live like there’s no massacre happened. That’s why I hate that bandwagon mentality of the people. If what’s the present issue, they will talk at it and rant at it. But when the time goes by, they will just forget it like nothing.

My fists tightened forming a ball of refrainment. My family’s death became a history, but I swear I’ll conquer the justice for it and raise it like it’s recurring.

I glanced at my wristwatch before grabbing my laptop and begin my work. There’s still so much to figure out on this shit, and I’m afraid that I’m running out of time.

Muli kong binalikan sa ala-ala ko ang pasilidad na nakita namin noon sa Laguna. I thought it’s the facility that Detective Chlonan referring to. But I was wrong. Isa lang naman iyong abandonadong pasilidad na pinagkutaan ng mga terorista’ng grupo ng PPA.

But if that’s not the facility then where? Mabilis kong iniligpit ang mga gamit ko at isinilid ang laptop ko. I can’t figure out this mess if I don’t have data’s.

“Ma’am saan po kayo pupunta?” Agarang tanong ni Emman nang lumabas ako sa opisina ko.

“Drive me to Detective Chlonan’s place,” maikling wika ko saka naglakad patungo sa likod ng Malacañang. Kagaya ng dati ay doon ko sila hinintay.

It was a long drive from Manila to Calamba. Kaya nang marating namin ang bahay ni Detective Chlonan dito ay agad na akong nagtungo sa pintuan ng bahay nila at kinatok ito. I did three consecutive knocks before her wife opened the door.

“Magandang hapon po ma’am,” she greeted me with a smile on her lips. But that smile didn’t reached her eyes.

“Good afternoon Mrs. Chlonan. Can I see Detective’s office?” Paalam ko rito. Tumango s’ya kahit pa halata namang nag-aalalangan s’ya. Sinenyasan ko na lang sina Emmanuel at Erick na manatili na lang sa labas.

It was my first time on entering their house. Detective Chlonan’s funeral was held at St. Peter before, thus I was astounded of how many family pictures of them are ornamenting their house.

Guilt began to travel into my system again when I saw how their photos portray a happy family which they have. They have two kids a girl and a boy. Detective Chlonan and her wife seems so inlove with each other. It’s quite disappointing of how his happy life ended on a brutal death.

“Narito po ang opisina n’ya ma’am,” I was quickly transported back from my trance when I heard her. Mula sa sala ay tinungo ko ang kusina nila, at sa pinakagilid nito ay naroon ang isang pinto pababa sa isang basement.

“Thanks for this Giselle,” I smiled at her and gently patted her shoulders.

“Walang anuman po ma’am. Baka may mahanap po kayong ebidensya o lead sa loob. My husband strive on that, kaya I don’t want to keep it. I don’t want his lurchings be in vain,” tumango ako sa sinabi n’ya.

Ang kan’yang mga mata ay puno ng lungkot, marahil ay nangungulila pa rin s’ya sa asawa n’ya. Sabagay ay ilang araw pa lang naman din ang lumipas mula nang namatay ito. I truly understand how she feels right now. Losing your love one is like hell. But I was amazed of how she’s trying to get through it, and pretending to be strong for her kids.

Iniabot niya sa ‘kin ang isang flashlight na na sa tabing pintuan lang. I started my way downward having the flashlight to guide me on my steps. The stair is quite long.

“Teka lang po pala ma’am, here’s the key po, sa office n’ya,” pahabol ni Giselle. Kaya’t muli kong inakyat ang iilang baitang saka kinuha ang susi’ng inaabot n’ya. Habang binabaybay ko ang hagdan ay wala akong ibang nakikita sa paligid kung hindi kadiliman.

It’s amazing how Detective Chlonan built this kind of office. Afterall it’s really needed for a Detective like him, because the every information he have is a big deal. It needs to be stored at secured places like this.

Ilang minuto ang itinagal ko sa pagbaba ng hagdan bago ko marating ang katapusan nito. Iginala ko ang liwanag ng flashlight at nagkamali ako nang inakala kong na sa dulo mismo ng hagdan ang pintuan para sa opisina n’ya.

Their basement is pretty wide. Ilang pasilyo’ng paliko-liko ang tinahak ko bago ko narating ang isang pintuan. I heave a deep sigh before unlocking it’s door knob.

Pagkabukas ko ay sumalubong sa ‘kin ang isang maaliwalas na silid. Tatlong cabinet ang na sa loob at isang mesa. Ang mga pader ng silid ay napuno ng clippings ng mga files, larawan, at iba pang kailangan sa imbestigasyon.

Isa-isa kong tiningnan ang mga larawang na sa pader. Ngunit biglang nanghina ang mga tuhod ko matapos makita ang isang larawan na noon pa man ay hindi na ako nagkaroon pa ng lakas ns loob na sulyapan ito. It was my family’s burnt picture.

“De Lara massacre”

Gusto kong ibaling ang mga mata ko sa ibang dako dahil hindi ko kayang makita ang kalunos-lunos nilang sitwasyon. But I chose to strengthen myself and stand firmly. I closed my eyes and heave a deep sigh before opening it again.

Hindi ko kayang tingnan ang larawan ng pamilya ko sa ganitong sitwasyon. But I need to face my fears, I can’t forever stay in a cradle that keeps me away from my fears. Tinanggal ko ang pagka-clip nito at kasabay ng pagtitig ko rito ay ang walang-pasubaling pagtulo ng luha ko. Binasa ko ang nakasulat na article sa ibaba ng larawan. Dahil dito ay tila naging sariwa sa ‘kin ang lahat.

Kung paano kong nadatnan ang bahay namin na walang tao at napapalibutan ng police tape. Ang buong tapang na pagpunta ko sa puntod ng pamilya ko. Ang mga tawanan at saya namin noon. Ang mga kulitan, iyakan at pagdadamayan namin na nasaksihan ng munti naming bahay noon.

At sa isang iglap ay muling sumiklab ang galit na matagal ko nang pilit pinipigilan. My hate towards the terrorists’ PPA. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin nahuhuli ang s’yang nakakataas at namamalakad sa kanilang grupo. The man who did all of these to my family.

Alam kong na sa kulungan na ang isa sa mga pumatay sa pamilya ko. But it’s still not enough. I need the head of their founder.

Pinunasan ko na lang ang luha ko saka ko inilapag sa isang gilid ang pahayagan. Nagsimula na muli akong igala ang paningin ko sa mga clippings na na sa pader, at isang larawan ang umagaw sa atensyon ko.

It’s Mr. Perez’ picture inside a certain room. He’s wearing a tuxedo while exchanging hands with a particular person. Mahirap tukuyin ang taong kinakamayan n’ya dahil naka-tagilid ito. Lalo ko itong tinitigan hanggang sa mapansin ko ang isang bagay.

The man whom Mr. Perez’ exchanging hands with has a tattoo on his right hand. Napakaliit nito kaya napakahirap mapansin. Lalo ko itong tinitigan mabuti, hindi ko maaninag kung ano ang hugis nito dahil sa liit nito. But I have this feeling of familiarity on it. I think I saw it before. I just can’t picture it out. Tinupi ko na lang ito saka isinilid sa bulsa ko.

Sinimulan ko na lang maghalughog at magbasa ng mga papeles na na sa cabinet ni Detective Chlonan. I skipped those files that is about his other cases. Nakaluhod akong hinalughog ang mga papeles n’ya hanggang sa dumako ang tingin ko sa isang papeles. It’s kind of a contract.

I’m on the verge of reading it when a memory suddenly pop on my mind. Right!

I took out the photo from my pocket and study the tattoo in the man’s hand. This is the same tattoo that I saw on that PPA’s hand.  Ang s’yang rebelde na binalian ko ng kamay.

Like a jigsaw puzzle I gradually got everything. Ngayon alam ko na kung para saan ang kontratang hawak ko. It’s a contract for their partnership. And this only means that Mr. Perez is having companionship with those rebels.

The side of my lips wrinkled forming into a vigorous smile. I was right! I was about to fold my knees that’ll enable me to stand when I got a call. I took out my phone from my pocket and answer it without looking at the caller’s name.

“President de Lara speaking,” I casually greeted.

“Baby, where are you?” Styyx’s voice crept in over the line.

“At Detective Chlonan’s place why?” I heard him heave a sigh.

“That explains why you’re not here. Get back here in Malacañang baby, I have some news,” my forehead wrinkled in his words. When he said he got some news there’s only two things that it means. A bad news about terrorism? An update about that caught PPA? Or some of his shenanigans. Okay that’s three.

“Alright I’ll be there,” I answered as I ended the call. I took a peek at the other files, hoping to find another leads and clues, but there’s nothing anymore.

Sandali akong nagpaalam at nagpasalamat kay Giselle. Nang marating namin ang Malacanang ay dumiretso na ako sa opisina ko at gaya nang inaasahan ko ay naroon nga si Styyx sa lobby at nagka-kape.

“Oh God Eury!” He exaggeratedly greeted me. He walked our remaining distance between each other and gently planted a kiss on my forehead.

“So what brings you here Styyx?” I inquired as I put my stuffs on my table.

“Have you eaten lunch?” He answered me in a question. Tila isang hudyat ang katanungan n’ya para makaramdam ako nang pagkulo sa tiyan ko. I glanced at my wristwatch. It’s one o’clock in the afternoon. He menacingly smiled at me and guided me towards my table. May kinuha siyang supot mula sa couch na inupuan n’ya at inilagay ito sa mesa.

“Let’s eat muna,” he smiled at me.

“So what are you doing at Detective Chlonan’s place baby?” Tanong n’ya saka isinubo ang kanin na may kasamang ulam. Kusang umangat ang mga labi ko kasabay nang paglapag ko ng kubyertos at kinuha ang litrato mula sa bulsa ko. I showed it to him with a smile painted on my face.

“Wow! You look so happy baby,” I nodded at him as a response. Saglit n’yang inilapag ang tinidor at kutsara saka kinuha ang inaabot ko sa kan’yang litrato. Nang makita n’ya ito ay agad kumunot ang noo n’ya.

“This is Mr. Perez right? The vice-president’s brother,” he answered in confusion.

“Precisely!” I vigorously answered.

“And what’s the context in this?” He inquired skeptically.

“Look at the hand of the man whom he’s exchanging hands with,”  wika ko saka itinuro ang kamay ng lalake. Tinitigan n’ya ito ngunit lalo lamang kumunot ang noo n’ya.

“A tattoo?” Tumango ako sa sinabi n’ya.

“And your point is?” He added.

“Look, I don’t know who that man is. Perhaps he’s the founder of the PPA,” itinuro ko ang mukha ng lalake na hindi makita dahil naka-tagilid at tanging batok n’ya lang ang nakikita.

“Ano’ng ginagawa ng mga taga-PPA? Wait, does this mean that Mr. Pe---” I cutted his words off.

“You got that. They’re on a negotiation Styyx. At wala namang pwedeng maging dahilan para makipag-usap ang isang politiko sa pinuno ng mga rebelde hindi ba?” Tumango s’ya sa sinabi ko. I grab my bag and took out the contract inside it. I handed it to him and his forehead automatically wrinkled but it soon turned into a proud and wondering smile.

“How did you got all of these?” He inquired in disbelief.

“I found it at Detective Chlonan’s place,”

“It’s a contract about the PPA’s loyalty towards Mr. Perez,” wika n’ya matapos basahin ang laman nito.

“Magkasabwat sila Styyx. That fvcking Mr. Perez is giving support and paying those rebels,” I uttered, vexation evident on my voice.

“Bakit hindi mo pa isapubliko o sabihin man lang sa awtoridad?” Nakakunot ang noong tanong n’ya.

“I still need more evidences,” I answered nonchalantly.

“Isn’t this enough baby?” Umiling ako sa sinabi n’ya.

“Alam mo kung gaano kahina ang galaw ng hustisya sa bansang ito Styyx. At ang mga ‘yan ay hindi pa sapat. I mean it’s just a picture and a contract. Nasisiguro kong madali n’ya iyang mahahanapan ng butas,” his wrinkled forehead turned into a nod later

“You’re right. So what’s the next move?” Sandali akong ngumuya bago sumagot.

“Chase the Wolf,” he nodded, followed by a smile.

“Sandali, anong balita ang ibig mong sabihin kanina? “ I snapped in when I remembered it. Agad siyang napako sa kinauupuan at ilang sandali na tumahimik.

“What’s the news you’re talking about Styyx “ I repeated. He averted his eyes on mine and looked at it intently.

“I don’t want to ruin your moment baby,” my brows creased and my forehead wrinkled. What does he mean?

“Just tell me Styyx. Whether it’s a bad news or a good one, just bring it on,” he heave a deep sigh on my words.

“Look Jolo and Sulu are under attack,” sagot n’ya. Dahil sa sinabi n’ya ay agad akong napatayo sa gulat.

“What do you mean?”

“Several bombings and gunshots are existing in the said place at the current time,” kumuyom ang mga kamao ko sa mga narinig ko saka ako naglakad sa loob ng opisina ko. Hinayaan ko ang paa kong magpabalik-balik sa paglalakad. Current time? Oh shit! Paano ko nagawang kumain at ngumiti gayong may nangyayari na palang ganoon?

“Baby, the military troops are there,” he tried to console me as my expression later turned into anxious.

“What’s the situation Styyx?” Kinuha n’ya ang radyo n’ya saka tinawagan ang heneral na nakatalaga sa lugar.

“It’s almost over baby. They found the bombers and snipers,” wika n’ya. Ngunit hindi nito nagawang panatagin ang loob ko. Kasalanan ko na naman ba ito? Kung sana ay hindi ako pumayag sa usapang pangkapayapaan, marahil ba ay hindi ito nangyayari ngayon?

“I know that look Eury. Please you’ve been through there. Huwag mo nang subukan pa’ng sisihin muli ang sarili mo,” agad n’yang wika nang mapansin ang ‘itsura ko.

“Numbers of casualty General?” Taliwas sa sinabi n’ya ang isinagot ko.

“They don’t know yet.” I nailed my hands at my table’s surface.

“How could this happen General?” He walked near me and patted my shoulders.

“Look, it’s not your fault baby okay? They’re rerrorists and this is what they do,” tumango na lang ako sa sinabi n’ya. I don’t want to resent myself anymore. Styyx is right I’ve been through there.

“Can I borrow your radio?” Tumango s’ya sa sinabi ko saka agad na inabot sa ‘kin ang radyo.

“Roger. General Salcedo in contact, “ agad na sagot sa kabilang linya. Ang kan’yang boses ay natatakpan nang ingay ng pagsabog at baril. I thought it was almost over?

“Roger. This is President de Lara speaking,” dynamic movements enveloped the other line.

“How’s the situation there?” I added.

“One sniper and bomber left ma’am,” kahit papaano ay napahinga ako nang maluwag.

“Where are you?”

“At Jolo ma’am.”

“Report to me after,” by that I cutted the line.

“Take a sit baby,” Styyx said.

“Do you have contact in Sulu?” He nodded.

“It’s over in there baby. 3 civilians wounded, mild. And 1 death, it’s civilian,” I heave a deep sigh. At least the number of death is not that big.

“How about the establishments?”

“2 mosque and 5 houses are devastated,” tumango na lang ako sa sagot n’ya. Why it have to be like this? I found good news yet it’s followed by bad news. Is it possible that Mr. Perez have something to do with this?

Oh shit! I really need to find that damn facility.

|End of chapter 37|
•Please don't forget to vote and comment <3•