The Monster

In Manila. The military camp was a huge complex, situated at about eight thousand five hundred miles to the east of New York. It had a large mid-section with towering trees jutting up in acres and acres of land, flanked by buildings to the right and the left when you enter. This was the seat of the military top brass of the Philippines and PP12.

A black sedan luxury car rolled past the sentry at the gate. It then proceeded to the north wing building taking the right lane. It found its way in front of a large building where it stopped. Urgency pervaded at the camp. The uniformed chauffeur opened his door and snappily jumped out to open the back door. A tall muscled officer in brown fatigue uniform stepped out and straightened his bush jacket. Medals shone on both shoulders. As soon as the chauffeur closed the door, the Colonel strode directly toward the building, where a guard stood straight up. The guard gave him a snappy salute. Without saluting, he passed him with a serious countenance. He strode directly to the General's office where he paused, then slipped inside without knocking.

General Ver had been waiting. The room smelled clean, well ventilated with a new air-conditioning unit installed. He was a man of details who had complete control of situations, and had instinctive knack for what worked and what didn't. In spite of this he was nevertheless as human as anybody else as to make a lot of foibles in his life. He was better than good though and his judgement was terrific. He would not have become a General if he wasn't.

He was a loyal supporter through and through who would not say 'No' to the president and would blindly carry out his wishes and orders without question. On the contrary, he was not hesitant to offer intelligent advice and took the position of a constructive critique when necessary, in the interest of national security. Thus, he became the most loyal officer and upon the president's election as head of the government, became part of his inner circle and worked his way up through the military ranks.

He was also the head of the PP12, the tentacles of the monster, the collective name of twelve of the most powerful advisers of the president who invariably came from the military and the business community. They were his vanguard, his brain and his puppets. Opposition to him was summarily executed at their prodding or orders. Student leaders all over the land who opposed the president were eliminated without any trace. The group was responsible for many human rights atrocities, although the extent of their responsibility was still unproven and in limbo. These atrocities include torture, murder, arrest and detention without due process. Seizure of properties and businesses without compensation was common.

During the latter years of his term the president had conspired with the General and various leaders of the military and the Constabulary police to gain full dictatorial control of the country. Thus, this group came to existence. Military leadership powers were lodged in this group, divesting them over from democratically elected officials and court judges their real powers.

The name PP12 had originated from the group's haughty sense of superiority over the rest of the military and society in general. There was a widespread story that each of the twelve associates had chosen the name Patek Philippe12 to give them the same first-class status as the watch, which the president had given them, although this was allegedly proven to be untrue. Actually, each member was given a Patek Philippe watch made in China, but because of the story, the name Patek Philippe12 stuck and was still used to refer to these twelve powerful associates. It would be striking to note that the power they were wielding was also as fake and as cheap as the watch they were wearing. Rank and file soldiers thought so, thus creating division and dissent across the military establishment.

"Hmm," General Ver grunted, clearing his throat. "Take a sit, Colonel."

"Thank you, sir," he said.

"So, I understand that your last assignment was accomplished without a mess?"

"Yes sir. We have competent men in that city," the Colonel confirmed.

"Congratulations. Let's put that to rest. Now let's talk about the more important one before us."

"Yes, sir General."

"Colonel, it is imminent and the centre of concern for all the bosses. You know how it is - it should be executed as planned."

"Yes, General Ver."

"I want it to be error proof. And I expect you to carry on with the order with utmost secrecy," said the General.

"I understand, sir."

"Remember this. . . A good soldier dies for his fatherland and a loyal one for his superiors."

"I have soldiers to carry it out, sir- the best of my men. The rest of the men will be covering all parts of the airport so there won´t be any hitches."

"I want you to understand that there's somebody who doesn't want him to come home. The senator must not set foot on the country, nor even show his shadow, now that the strong man is terribly sick."

"That's understood beyond question, sir."

The General bounced up and started pacing the room. "He is the opposition's rallying point and that makes it frightening for so many people. If he finally returns to the country there's danger for the opposition to gather support . . . from all sectors and to take over when something happens to the president."

"I'll keep that in mind, sir."

"And that if you fail, remember there will be harsh circumstances. We don't want you to fail on this, do we?"

"We don't, sir." "I personally picked you to do this because of your noted background on special ops. So don't fail me, Colonel."

"I won't disappoint you, sir."

"A consensus among the top brass has been made and we want the president's wife to be up there to assume the post when transition comes. Not this leftist who we know lacks experience. If something happens to the president nobody would want any changes in this country with him as the successor." The General paused to look at the large picture of the still healthy leader on the wall.

"If he succeeds, there will be changes. And these changes will not be very good for you and for those who possess them now, the power that is, the government and especially for the military," the General continued.

"I understand, sir."

"Do you have everything in place?"

"Yes sir," the Colonel replied with finality.

"I trust you and I'm putting all my cards on your judgement."

"Yes sir. I have taken care of all the plans and execution."

"I am informed that there will be many well-wishers from the opposition welcoming him at the airport . . . and also from the press."

"I've assigned men to control them, sir, to put them away from the scene"

"Good, Colonel."

"Do we have a news blackout . . . at least for a day?"

"That's done sir."

"I'm glad you have done your assignments. After this all of you must disperse and be back to your respective posts."

"Yes General."

"Dismiss Colonel."

"Yes sir." The Colonel promptly turned about face then slipped outside after saluting. It was a last-minute instruction and the General expected him to comply accordingly. The same guard saluted again as he passed, then he got out of the building toward his waiting car.

Loyalty sometimes is blind. It cuts deep into reason, to bleed, and find its way into the lower ranks. In darkness, it continues to manipulate the minds of the lesser ones, for them to see no other than the end which they blindly pursue. Colonel Follows was one clear example of a subordinate who followed every order from his superiors, may it be humanly or repressive. He was a pawn or appropriately said, a robot.

The humming of the air-conditioner left General Ver thinking for other ways to maintain control of his minion now that the strong man was ailing. His days were counted. And if he acted slowly, he would lose his PP12, including all the wealth and influence they had amassed all those years they were in power. Maintaining the status quo was his nagging concern, to keep it whatever the cost may entail.