Where Parallel Lines Meet

2

"Paano mo nasabing assault yun at hindi self defense?"

"S-sir k-kasi po.." I almost laughed at my classmate if only I was not in a serious atmosphere. Baka madamay pa ako. 

"I gave you enough time to review these cases! I even included yung resources na pwede niyong pagkuhanan! What did you do, miss Soliven?" maluha-luhang na-upo si Collen. 

Patay na, nag-last name basis na si Sir Parasso. 

"Ano na ulit ang ibig sabihin kapag nag-last name basis si sir?" inosenteng tanong ni Kean. Magkatabi lang kami ng upuan sa harap kaya medyo natakot ako nang lumingon bigla si sir sa direksyon namin. Nagkatitigan pa muna kami ni Sir bago ako kunyaring nag-isip.

"Gonzales," ayan Kean, malalaman mo na ang dahilan sa likod ng pagkatakot namin sa last name basis ni Sir.

"According to the section 9 of the Republic act 10591, citizens are allowed to possess an ammunition. Am I right?"

"Yes sir." Kean answered while smiling from ear-to-ear which made Mr. Parasso more annoyed, yet he managed to calm himself and ask him more questions.

 "What is the maximum quantity of rounds that a licensed citizen should possess?"

"Fifty at maximum sir, unless--"

"SAGUTIN LANG ANG TINATANONG AND STOP SMILING!"

Kean's face became more serious and he looks intimidating as fuck. Medyo natigilan si Sir. Mukhang na-intimidate din sa looks ni Kean. Sabi mo kasi sir wag mag-smile eh. Imbes na studyante ang matakot dahil nag-last name basis siya, mukhang natakot din siya kay Kean. 

"T-then how many did Mr. Manaloto have?"

"He has over a hundred, sir."

"Give me the exact number."

"A hundred and sixty-nine."

"So in-short?"

"It is a self-defense, sir."

Karamihan ay nagulat sa sagot ni Kean. He was right though. 

"Miss Castro, since you are having fun gossiping with Mr. Gonzales awhile ago, why don't you help him answer my follow-up question?" ayan na nga, nadamay pa. 

"Game na sir. Bring it on!" Kean rolled up his sleeves and warmed up as if he's about to box. 

Muling nagbalik ang itsura ni Sir na parang handa nang gisahin kami ng sunod-sunod na tanong. Tumingin ako sa relo ko, sampung minuto pa bago matapos ang klase niya. Bakit kasi ang tagal ng oras kapag subject niya?

"We got you, we were chosen as the tribute." dagdag pang pagmamayabang ni Kean at kumaway na parang kandidato sa mga kaklase ko  kaya siniko ko na siya bago pa mas mainis si sir. 

"Castro, is it a self-defense or an assault?"

"An act of self-defense sir."

"He possesses beyond the maximum limit of rounds for his ammunition! How come it is a self-defense?"

"Sir, upon my readings on the resources you have given, Mr. Manaloto is an athlete-- a shooter and is licensed."

"So he did not violated the Section 12 of RA 10591, qualifying that he acted in self-defense." Kean added. 

"You two sounds so confident. Mr. Manaloto only have two registered ammunition and two unregistered, the maximum rounds per ammunition registered is fifty, during the investigation, they found a hundred and sixty-nine. Only he did not violated section 12 but also the section 9!"

"that is when the real issue comes, sir. they found 4 ammunition of his possession when he had a type 1 license. His maids made an statement claiming they only see two ammunition on daily basis and an exact hundred rounds."

"They must be considered credible witnesses as they clean it daily," I added.

"Then how should the investigation go?"

"I suggest--" I cut Kean off as a suggestion will not be accepted in courts.

"The officers who instigate the search is held liable and must be investigated."

"And why is that?"

"Mr. Manaloto has been assaulted." I declared.

"First reason, the Police came around 9 am, seized his house with no search warrant--" I again butted in

"Where the officers clearly violated Section 2 of Article III of the Bill of rights."

"Second, he did not assaulted them as he did not employ any force or violation that may intimidate the officers in doing their duty despite them violating his rights. It was them who assaulted him." sabi ni Kean habang nakatingin nang diretsyo sa mata ko.

"Tinutukan siya ng baril out of nowhere nang mabilang ang mga bala. Enforcing na they are threatening him. As a defense, kinuha niya rin ang baril niya na nasa lamesa at itinutok din niya ito sa kanila."

By the time na natapos ko ang last statement, sakto namang tapos na ang time namin kay Sir. We all sighed in relief as he went out. He did not mutter or say anything which made us all nervous kasi baka magpa-long quiz siya next meeting. 

"Grabe, ang astig niyo!"

"Pahingi naman kami ng braincells niyo!"

"Tapang!"

"Mga mamaw!"

"Ship ship ship!"

"Congrats and good luck sa inyong dalawa next meeting."

Komento ng mga kaklase namin. Kahit ako man ay kinabahan nang sobra. At least tapos na. 

Kean patted my head and said, "You did well, love. I needed your help."