Children of War

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Butch Acuna
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Children of War

Post by Butch Acuna »

CHILDREN OF WAR
As I sat in my usual place at the MPDC office in Subic, former host of the largest U.S. naval installation ( overseas ) in the world, thinking of what topic to write, two young Muslim women came in to apply for a Locational Clearance, they sat near me so, I began a conversation, a casual meeting which turned to a story telling session, one of the most beautiful true story that I have heard, slowly unfolded. The two beautiful young women in traditional Muslim attire are cousins, both twenty years old, came from Marawi City, they have a story to tell, I changed their names and some details to protect their identities.
The two cousins and their families are new arrivals, seeking a new life in one of the fastest growing newly urbanized part of Central Luzon. On May 23, 2017 they woke up to find that a group of armed men mostly Muslim have occupied strategic parts of Marawi. At the start they felt no fear since the armed men are their brothers in belief and bloodline. Then the shooting began between the armed group who identified themselves as ISIS members and the military/police forces, the two cousins Liza and Liya were using the surname Santos, a Christian name that they assumed since they were not registered at birth.
As their Christian friends began leaving the city when news about the rebels executing Christians spread, they began to worry specially when they learned that women and young girls are being are being held by ISIS to serve either as slaves or wives, whether they like it or not,a fifteen year old girl was raped in front of her parents, according a fellow Muslim.Unfortunately for them, male members of their families were not able to decide leaving Marawi when it is still possible, within a month all males were forced to join the rebels as fighters or workers leaving them more unable to escape At the fortieth day of what is now called as the Marawi siege, their mothers told the young women to seek a hiding place, hearing that women will be conscripted as workers soon. So they were left alone to decide what to do in oder to survive or escape from Marawi if given the opportunity. On the first week of July as soon as it was dark they left the only home they ever knew crouching within the backyards of the now abandoned/barricaded homes, carrying a single bag with Muslim attires for men and women part of their merchandise that they sell at the city market plus some moldy bread and a bottle of water.
" Is there anybody who can help us?" Asked Liya in a whisper as they rested at the fence of the Senior High School were they used to study. " Why don't we go to the house of Mr. Alberto ?" Mr. Alberto is their former class advisor and is well known for his kindness and erudition, his wife Marisa, also teacher, and son Giancarlo, a classmate are also known for their friendliness. They began to crouch again while walking as quietly as possible. In the streets they observed armed men patrolling, they remained walking like prowling cats within the backyards of the darkened homes except where there is dimmed lights silhouetting armed men carrying Kalashnikov rifles, while continuous firing can be heard from the front line,and an unidentified plane which they learned was a surveillance plane hovered from above.
It was 12:32 a.m. July 3, when they reached the large compound of the Alberto's, but it was locked and dark, " maybe they have left for the evacuation sites " Liza whispered, att the back of the compound are clusters of fruit bearing bananas, they decided to gather a bunch for supper or rather breakfast, but as they are about to reach for a bunch of fruits, a shadow of a man suddenly appeared, the two women and the shadowy figure were momentarily frozen, the man spoke first, " what are you doing here ? " We are looking for our teacher, Mr. Alberto, our parents were abducted by ISIS "
" They are inside the house together with some teachers waiting for a chance to escape " the man who is also a teacher whispered. The three slowly walked while crouching along the fence to a backdoor, the teacher known to them as Mr. Dela Cruz tapped softly at the door which opened slightly, Mr. Alberto motioned them to come inside into a dark interior, as they lbecame accustomed to darkness, they realized that there are about ten persons inside and an infant girl.
Through whispers, they learned that like them,the group is trapped and waiting for an opportunity to escape, likewise they are waiting for Mr. Alberto to create an escape plan, but it seem that he is not able to come up with a viable one.
Early in the morning in the first light of dawn, Mr. Alberto quietly woke up everyone individually motioning with his fingers for them to keep quiet, he pointed outside and they saw armed men climbing at the tall concrete fence to get inside the compound, every one was frozen with fear especially the women, the mother with baby girl went to the bathroom in case the baby awakens and cry, all found a concealed place to hide. The ISIS fighters were approaching the main door when heavy gunfire erupted about five hundred meters away towards the front line, quickly the leader ordered his men to proceed to the place of battle. Everyone sighed as they came out and they noticed that the men were holding knives.
While some members of the group watched for the possible return of the ISIS, they slowly took in the current situation of the group of mentors, like them, they are trapped, not knowing what to do, and all of them including the new arrivals are depending upon Mr. Alberto to come up with a plan. In their dire situation, the teachers for whom they have much respect showed their true colors, they talk against Mr. Alberto behind him and blamed him for their predicament, although they learned later that Mr. Alberto could have escaped earlier with his family but did not, until he is sure of the safety of the teachers, one teacher was planning to suffocate the baby fearing that the child might give them away by crying when hungry.
At this point, Liza and Liya came up with a plan, they approached Mr. Alberto and told him of their plan. " Sir, we have a plan that we are sure will work, we have with us some Muslim clothing and some of the men guarding the road from here to the bridge separating the government forces and the ISIS are related to us, if all of us will dress in Muslim clothing, we are quite sure that they will let us through " They brought out the clothing that they brought with them and gave each a complete attire, the clothing were short of two women's dress, they asked Marisa to bring out her sewing kit and they took two bed sheets that they altered into two women's clothing and head covering, before evening everything was ready.
They barely slept that night, praying that fighting will not break out before they crossed the bridge. Even before the break of dawn, Liza and Libya woke up everyone to make sure that all are dressed up in Muslim clothing.
They began walking at the break of dawn, with Liza and Liya flanking the group at both sides, while the teachers bowed their head towards the ground, Liza and Liza held up their heads hoping that their ISIS member/relatives will recognize them. No one bothered with them until they are about 50 meters from the army post, at this point a group of ISIS fighters came out of a building and hailed the group, Liza and Liya immediately walked towards the ISIS men, one of whom turned out to be an uncle of Liza, the two clasped their hands and greeted the men with the traditional Muslim greetings. Liza's uncle signalled the group to continue walking, knowing that a battle may break out anytime.
At the other side an army officer welcomed Mr. Alberto telling him. "Thank you sir for bringing your group to safety " I did not bring them out somebody else did " Answered Mr. Alberto.
" Who did ? " These two girls sir " pointing to Liza and Libya, who looked like two little girls.
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Lincolnshirelass
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Post by Lincolnshirelass »

This is a very moving and thought-provoking story - I really like it.
An Eye for an Eye only ends up making the whole world blind.

Mahatma Gandhi
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