Days of Infamy (1)

March 16, 17, 18 of year 2000 are days of infamy in Mindanao. March 16 was the day that Commander Bravo's ilk first raided Kauswagan, LDN. Early morning of that day, Bravo’s men attacked and captured the police and CVO detachments guarding Lapayan Bridge, a strategic point connecting Kauswagan to Iligan City and Southeastern Mindanao. Having controlled the bridge, Bravo’s group practically isolated Kauswagan town from the rest - a cunning but devious tactical decision.

From the two occupied detachments, Bravo's men started shooting anyone who comes within their weapons' range. People were immensely terrified because the said detachments were so close to the main highway and residential areas. Some people were shot and wounded, others unfortunately died. Residents hurriedly left bringing with them whatever they can carry. Some fled on foot, a few on vehicles, several on motorboats by the sea but some went out to sea by simply attaching improvised floating gadgets to themselves. Notably, quite a number of them were children strapped by their parents to some floatation devices hoping that the rebels will not be able to harm them there. A truly pitiful sight.

At around 10AM of that day, the very first group of soldiers arrived. They were Scout Rangers conducting combat operation in the hinterlands when the rebels attacked Kauswagan. Through radio communication, the troops were ordered to deviate from their original operation and to quickly proceed to Brgy. Lapayan in Kauswagan. They came running all the way to the scene. Their new mission is to take control of the 2 detachments and flush out the rebels from Kauswagan. By 11AM, all hell broke loose as some 50 Scout Rangers battle more or less 300 rebels. It was fierce, it was brutal. It was total chaos!

The ensuing gun battle however contained the rebels' movement. It gave the residents short but precious leverage to evacuate. The fight raged until dusk as no government reinforcement arrived to help the outnumbered Rangers. By night time, sporadic gunfire continued as the Rangers steadily crept towards the 2 detachments. The smell of death filled the air... It was a very long and dreadful night for everyone in the area.

(*Burned down houses after the rebels' attack / Bobby Timonera)