Chronicles Revealed

Chapter 22: Hard Fall

We were about to have supper when I received a text message from Andre to inform me that they were going to have an operation on Roque Codina anytime tonight. Codina was in a house owned by his uncle which he had chosen to be the venue of a big-time drug transaction with a buyer from Mindanao. Codina's uncle is also in Andre's list of high value targets as well as a politician known to have some clout in the local government. The house is a gated and fenced bungalow located in an isolated part along the national highway. At the back of the house was a large cornfield. Codina came alone on a red motorcycle. They knew he was coming since the gate opened at once as he arrived and closed as quickly behind him. Two guys opened and closed the gate. Both seemed unarmed. There was no look-out.

Upon knowing from their poseur buyer that the uncle's house was the venue of the drug deal, Andre deployed his operatives in the area and kept it in a 24-hour surveillance until the drug exchange transpired. The uncle and the nephew had been very cunning in their illegal drugs business and avoided using the house for their drugs transactions. They made it appear as just a rest-house for them since they never stayed long in it. Occasionally, they held a party in the house with guests, drinking and women. This night is not one of those nights.

Andre and his group had been working on a buy-bust operation targeting Roque Codina. After a protracted negotiation, their poseur buyer was finally able to close a deal with Roque for the purchase of P15 million worth of shabu. The exchange would be conducted at the uncle's house because it was not exposed, Codina told the poseur buyer. Date and time of exchange would be as advised by Codina. At eight 0'clock PM, shortly after he arrived, the poseur buyer received a text from Codina saying: 10 PM tonight at agreed place.

In their surveillance, Andre's men did not notice unusual activities in the place. The only movements they detected were those of the two men who seemed to take turn going out to buy food or drinks. Andre's men were in different guises, strategically positioned. Should something go wrong, Codina will not be able to escape. The area had been sealed. He has been slippery as an eel for a long time but his time is coming to its long overdue end. Andre and his men have prepared thoroughly for this, making sure they had everything they needed for their operation: weapons, vests, cameras, communications equipment, and all. He could not leave anything to chance. It was a one-time big-time operation that should not fail. Roque Codina was particularly on his mind.

Thanks, Andre. Be careful. If you can, please get the cellphone of Codina. He might have communications there with the mastermind we are looking for. You might be able to hit two birds with one stone, I texted Andre back.

Noted, partner, I will keep you posted, Andre replied.

I showed Mama the message of Andre and she looked at me with that sparkle of hope in her eyes. The last three months had been the darkest times of our lives. We were bitter and angry at the world for being so cruel to us. They did not only take our son away but they ridiculed us as hapless people vainly seeking for a justice that exists only in delusional minds. They crushed our rights; they stepped on our sorrow and pain. But we are not that helpless. We have friends who truly care for us and together we will eliminate our enemies one by one. The pieces are falling into place. Never again will they just laugh at us. Ours will be the last laugh.

When Andre was promoted to P/Lt.Col. he was made to head an Anti-Narcotic Group of the police. It was an elite group of twelve highly trained, highly experienced and highly motivated group of police officers without a speck of dirt in their records. Joel Ramos has been a part of the group since inception. He was one of the Magnificent Seven of the group who were most often tasked to do delicate jobs in lions' dens. He did undercover work and poseur-buyer roles. He was quite adept with his job, knew how to act, knew how to blend in, knew what to avoid, and knew when to call for back-up.