RmOlano
May1997
BUMMER
He sat on wooden bench, cleaning his
disassembled assault rifle with speed and efficiency that comes from years of
practice. Each twenty nine round bullets were lightly oiled and inspected
carefully. Experience taught survivors
that there were no second chances for complacent revolutionaries. Reactionary
forces can be expected to show up any time, anywhere. His Sparrow unit of New
Peoples Army of Communist Party of the
“So, how is it going, classmate, its been a while.”
“Its been a
while all right since we exchanged school home work for Mrs. Ancheta’s Political Science class.” answered the man.
“That’s correct,
I am kind of busy this days.”
‘I know,
you’re well-known around here, especially to the Constabulary.”
“You mean those fascist dogs of your
new master?”
The directness of accusation struck
the man. Speechless, his heart beat faster than normal, sending out cold perspiration
rolling down to his spine.
Silence.
“How is she doing these days?” the rebel leader continues
while carefully placing the assembled the Russian made AK-47 rifle on the
table.
“I..., I don’t know, the last time I saw her
was when you and your cohorts, visited our school after Martial law. You were
not very nice to her as I remembered.”
“Yes, I remember that day.”
“Oh, yes, and who can ever forget
that day, when you shot the ROTC instructor, his assistants, couple of cadet
officers and the dean...”
“Enough, I don’t want to hear it!”
“Why not, that visit made you famous
all over the country including the Constabulary.”
“You know I’m here not to discuss
the past but ordered to fix or eliminate a present problem.”
The communist quickly replied as he pulling out a .45
caliber pistol from leather holster hanging from weathered combat harness.
“You keep on mentioning those khaki clad dogs like you
knew them.”
“Look, everybody knew what happened
there, it was all over the news.”
“And what you are spreading through
your radio program is not news but propaganda for this puppet regime.”
“I am just a messenger, I read news
from newspapers, magazines, and you know that!”
“I know that you are also a puppet.
A very noisy and talkative puppet that need to be shut down.” Pulling the slide
and letting it go. A loud clacking sound signals both men that a round is securely
loaded in the chamber.
“Do your self a favor classmate, get out of this
province, your wreath is already being ordered.
I don’t have enough power to countermand Comrade Jose.”
“You are officially been warned.”
“Thank you for your concern, my friend but, running away
is not the answer.”
“So what is your answer? To die? For who? For Marcos dictatorial regime?”
“You
are telling me that people died because they are telling the truth.”
“I’m telling you that people died
for nothing.”
“Before you left
to the mountains years ago, your said that you will succeed because you are fighting
for the truth. That Marcos regime is pawn of capitalist...”
“We are fighting a corrupt government, you are defending
that government. That’s the difference.”
“I read that Mao’s
little red book too, it’s full of garbage.”
“ You are not asked to join us but to stop your lies.”
“If I leave, where do you think I’ll be far enough?”
Accepting defeat, the radio commentator blurted.
“Try