Meanwhile, at the far end of the corridors of power, some members of the military top brass and several junior officers were busily engaged in a closed-door meeting.

“What happens now? In the past we suffered a huge loss when old man Ravanera defected to the other side. Now that Haddad is dead, we will be forced to pull out our troops,” cried a senior officer.

“Oh calm down. That Ravanera was a coward, besides he was careless and did not cover his tracks. He was not dependable enough to handle what he was tasked to do.”

“No matter what, the Mindanao conflict must continue at all costs!” A grim-faced general said emphatically as he slammed his fist to the table.

“How far have we gone in the monitoring of our maggots?” A senior officer raised the topic referring to classified as enemies of the state.

“We have to think of something, otherwise its hook, line or sinker!”

“Sir, we have received reports that the Secretary of the Interior gave orders to the police to storm a municipal hall in Mindanao,” reported a staff personnel in the Joint Operations Command. “This was after having been informed that released prisoners, armed men and insurgents were inside the capitol.”

“I believe that the mayor there did not want to step down from his post,” disclosed a member of the panel.

All officers exchanged knowing glances with lopsided grins.

* * *

Author’s Note: The story is completely a work of fiction. Composition started three months prior the Glorietta 2 bombing in October 19, 2007. The story also underwent several revisions for a period of eight months. The author simply composed a local version of the 9/11 incident.

Any names or scenarios which were mentioned in the course of the story and synonymous with any individual or incident is purely coincidental.

For my family, relatives and friends who helped one way or the other in the composition of this short story, this piece is humbly dedicated.