Ported Dispatches

[Solclquial]

Myroria told me the NS dispatches section isn't the primary way for showing stories to everyone in Taijitu, so I ported my stories from NS here.

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Nearly two decades after the last book-burning campaign by the late Worker President-for-life Fernando Marcos, it seems that the Filipino empire is finally inching onto the track for recovering its lost cultural heritage, especially after the latest flash mob display of Kilinting, a folk dance, at the Road to Reset social event last February.

There had been at least five major nationwide campaigns, and at least twenty-seven minor provincial programs, of extinguishing the native arts in the course of the Filipino empire's history, the first beginning during Governor Brother President-for-life Johnnieberto Marcos term in 1891. Public outrage and strong disapproval from the then-democratic Senate was expected, as literature and music from entire tribal societies were summarily deleted - a memory still not lost on the primitive mindset of Filipino ethnic groups.

Most of the old traditions still extant are passed around through the nation's underground scene. There has been talk of the Iliw-iw, a folk song resembling the shrill mating call of the Birandaw bird, being taught around by prisoners inside their cells, and trends of paintings dedicated to a particular fertility goddess being made by youth artists.

(Shown at right: the shield of Pulakan, restored, displayed at MIS Nando Branch)

The surviving remnants of the Filipino's forgotten heritage are kept at the Marcos Imperial Sciences branch in Nando City as part of its historical museum. The shield of Pulakan during the Battle of Gulun is on display there. The partially decomposed corpses of political dissidents who opposed former Worker Leader-for-life Georgiano Marcos' culture restrictions are brazenly shown upon entering the museum. On National Tolerance Day, the museum closes.

Despite the well-repeated, government-instilled fear of following the fate of the dissidents, rebellious youth, as rare as they are, do not relent in the secret growth of culture. While most efforts are annoying at most, like the hundred-member rally for the use of a Ilobanon, an accessory once used by prostitutes, and the infamous Offering Livestock October, more violent activities do seldom happen. Busy streets in the powerhouse city of Bocol, for example, were attacked by teams of college students who sprayed Birun and Cagda, both gases used in marriage ceremonies that are known for being aphrodisiacs, at automobiles and passersby. Another event is often a topic of conversation for conspiracy theorists - the 'Indamunfdo St. Procession", where a caravan of people who wore bandages and hospital linen, covering everything but their eyes and hands, came walking down Indamunfdo Street.

The Marcosite government is separated into opposing parties concerning the recent debate on culture. Roughly 6% of the country's existing Central Congress is in favor of approving cultural traditions - a 600% increase from last year. One of the main advocates, Leno Bing, has been said to have a dislike for the president, and is on the Committee on Internal Defense's watchlist. Worker President-for-life Jingbong Marcos refused to state his opinions, but he maintains that "he will carry on the will of his grandfathers".

Even with a small voice of opposition in the Congress, the government and the law still has the final say on the matter, for now. Thanks to the new national budget centered around enforcement and security, police departments nation-wide have been aggressively deployed to mitigate dissenting cultural advocates - Youth Rebelliousness is at a record low for the year.

However, Filipino culture had been practically erased from collective memory until recent years, and, as the state-run Committee on Cultural Sciences (deactivated until lately) reported, "there is bound to be mutations in the dead, endemic Filipino culture. Most do not even recognize it, and the only relevant demographic interested in it is the youth."

(Above, an image still from the Bocol Wedding Gas Incident. Note the lack of upper clothing on the individual to the right.)

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Separation of the Gods (Pagkahilawlay sang Duhang Ginoo) is a literary creation myth, one of only four indigenous folk stories approved by the state and the Committee on Literature. The myth originated from the Higadoynon ethnic group of Iloylo. It is mostly popular for its dramatic play adaptation - the most popular version written by Tereso Magdayan in 1987. A copy of Magdayan's version is being posted below.


----

[ACT 1, SCENE 1: Heaven, a decade after its creation. Enter Dimangno, the first god; and Cangda, the second god and Dimangno's wife. The world of ours exists below them, as a limitless ocean of cold waters. No other god has been made yet, and the only company the couple has are the elements.]

DIMANGNO:

My wife, it has been ten years. Yet, this world is barren still. Is now not the best time to bring Life into what we have created? Surely you would enjoy that we would have many sons and daughters to inhabit this paradise we had planned.

[CANGDA pauses and decides that she will not reply. She continues sitting by the Heaven's shore, facing the world below.]

DIMANGNO:

Cangda, my queen, it is wrong to ignore me.
 
CANGDA:

I am aware of your concern, Dimangno, but it is not mine to indulge in. I have grown fond of the muted surroundings. Simply to stare at the sun so near and above us, and to study the brooding rolling of the sea-waves is enough. I know you understand.

DIMANGNO:

Yes, it is, my wife... but why stop there? Soon, someday, you will feel blandly about all of this. It is not enough. Look over farthest, my Cangda. With your consent, those seas will be raised into earth. Mountains, valleys, plains, to our desire. That is not enough. When our firstborn claim the waters below for their own, it is a wild guess at that point. You would be proud. Amused at what they will become. And yet, it is still not enough. Why shall we stop? Cangda, we can be as limitless as the seas themselves!

CANGDA:

It is strange that we have been together for ten years, and I am still amazed at you, Dimangno. All of those ideas flash and spread inside your mind.

It is still not mine to indulge. I study your plans thoroughly whenever I find myself idle, and I grow afraid. What really is limitless? Are we so? To what extent is our control over what we have made? What if the day will pass that our creations grow stronger than the two of us? Dimangno, there is too much risk.

DIMANGNO:

I do not understand.

Cangda, without this risk, there is nothing.

CANGDA:

Nothing?

Dimangno, but there is us.

[CANGDA stands up from the shore and departs DIMANGNO, leaving for another place to be alone in.]

DIMANGNO:

What shall I ever do with you, my beloved? I have said a mistake, forgive me.

[Exit DIMANGNO.]

[ACT 1, SCENE 2: Peak. Enter Sun of Heaven; CANGDA. The Sun itself grows dim as CANGDA approaches, and the stage is lit with faded starlight above.]

THE SUN:

What may be my purpose, queen Cangda? You look ailed.

CANGDA:

Nothing... it is nothing, Sinag.

But tell me, why has my husband created you? You have been placed above, higher than even the grounds of Heaven. Your light touches everything. You cannot be content with what you are to us now, correct?

THE SUN:

Indeed, queen Cangda. Your husband created me shortly after he created Heaven... I recall that you were still asleep just beside the shores. I recall that you were displeased - at me. Why is it so?

CANGDA:

This is not the matter I wish to discuss. I came here asking for your purpose, not mine. If you cannot do so, I ask you to depart, and go to another place.

THE SUN:

You crave the darkness, do you not, queen Cangda?

CANGDA:

Pardon me, what did you say?

[A flare of light flashes from THE SUN for a second.]

THE SUN

Aha! I knew it was so. Cangda, my purpose is a promise, and a vision, by your loving husband. Let me enlighten you about what he dreamt for. It may be for you, or for both of you... maybe for himself.

I am the Sun. Christened with the name of Sinag, meaning Light. I bring my bright glow, my warmth and my influence to encompass all in the name of creation. Heaven and the seas below are mine to fill. Yet, I will not maintain this. I have done a great misdeed to Dimangno, and he has sought my destruction since.

You see, I was once... envious of you and Dimangno's love for each other. While both of you danced by the shores, held hands underneath the ocean, I was high above. Still watching. The other elements shared my view. Wind despised how the flow of your long hair mimics hers. Steam resented Dimangno for its creation, telling me to kill him, as he was 'nothing but to become Sea again'. In the end, however, I was alone in my plan.

You were both asleep, one day. While you seemed at your weakest, I struck. I sent tendrils of my heat - the hottest fire I could exert, and targeted you. Perhaps I could take you for my own, I thought... or extinguish you. I was quiet, but I could sense him waking up.

He caught me.

The rest is obvious. He demanded I let you go. I complied. I knew I was awaiting my end. He plans on creating my enemy.  And my time will be cut half, and my Enemy will bring everything under him. As I am the light, he will be Darkness.

As Dimangno is mercurial and fearless.. you are cold, and a shadow all to your own.

[CANGDA does not respond. Instead, she steps back slowly, eventually running away from Peak. THE SUN stays.]

[Exit THE SUN.]

[Solclquial]

Coup

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Internal Affairs Bureau Dossier, Re: TO-MAY
 
Marcos Imperial Observations
San Domingo Branch

Forwarded to: Maj. Lucio Aguntalan

Lucio, attached is clearance Kalbing-level observations concerning your operation on TO-MAY.
[floatright]

[/floatright]This was taken from the IAB, and they're the most reliable source of data we have on the targets as of date. I trust this will not be wasted on anyone outside our close circle of friends - 576th has been waiting for this operation to go red for months. Expect that Guinso's men will arrive at your location in the immediate hour to probe your files for this email. We must not let news on 576th's status go to High Command. Knowing you though, you'd slide through them easily.

On your right is what's reported to be the working flag of Acampano's liberation front. We've recently seen this flag flown over the old tunnel base in Paco. Apparently, they've started recruiting from the local population; targeting the police and comms station over a nine-month hidden incursion into the city. We've neutralized the three agents who've led the attack, but they won't talk. Hard as nails, it figures.

It seems that those Acampano has been planning to recruit were less... loyal to the cause. There are two small rebel installations near the region's capital, Onloc. The main one has Stinger site defenses and platoon-strength armies. The other is a warehouse that has at least six stolen BTRs that match the profile for those stolen during the 2010 attack. The nearest base we have is 20km away from both bases, in Fort Bantayan. I've already a T-105 gunship to be stationed there for your convenience. I have to warn you, both Ludvigo and Dominador have their eyes set on the fort under their command, and if we're to fail this attack, we'll lose the base to either of them. No one likes a Class 2 base flying the Josephine's Saltire.

Acampano himself has still not been spotted. We all know where he's last been, Lucio, but Area 12 was carpet-bombed a week ago, much to Lt. Ludvigo's chagrin. I have Philippe and Felix as our insiders, while Ungo's working the national inquirer for tips, however deranged they seem. Podoslaw, our associate from Szcozcenkeille (wrong spelling?), is abroad, dealing with Acampano's contacts one by one. DOROTHY is down, don't ask why. All in all, 576's sister team is standing at seven personnel, you exempted.

One last note: once our attack from Fort Bantayan is done, go to Benjo's place for a business proposition with a defector from Acampano's. We've checked his records - he's not a plant. If he is, HIS will come to him like ravens in a split-second.

You may find a few contacts for the dirty work at Rory's. They have more information on TO-MAY that not even Jingbong's elites can get. This is all I could offer for now. I'll maintain the white-collar end while 576th gets ready.

Good luck.

<<Oped>>
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Homeland Internal Security
Dipolog Branch

To: Cpt. Mike Libliban

Got it. We'll begin the Bantayan operation in 0200 hours. An earlier sabotage of their command structure reveals that both bases haven't been given much attention since 2013. I won't be relying much on that, so I hired your band of mercs along for the ride. It should be over by dawn.

P.S. Guinso didn't lay a single accusation this time. The tracker's been ejected as well.




Homeland Internal Security
Dipolog Branch

To: Cpt. Mike Libliban

I might as well forward this list of soldiers' callsigns from 576 to you to get used to:

Imperial Task Force, 576th Team, Nunek

1.) LALIGA: Imperio Honasan, Sergeant First Class. Served four consecutive years in HIS. Notable kill of Monican terrorist "Old Chide Mfarrwen". Has been WIA until six months ago due to RPG blast. Commended for activity, Operation YURITANIA.

2.) JEBON: Martil Jerard, Corporal. Earned his stripes in the three-year excursion to Jinkaijung as part of the 32nd Joint Special Task Group. Notable for expertise in explosives, scoped rifles, and insertions... like most others in 576.

3.) DISNAG: Silver Danggit. Not enlisted in the Army, but served in a private security firm for four-and-a-half years. Could have been the one who killed Jingbong's chief of staff during the 2005 coup, but had a change of heart and killed his 30-member team in their sleep. Has a wife; no kids.

4.) GERRY: Ex-Panago. Name scrubbed off records, but probing suggests he's Leuisito Teren. Nothing we know of but that. Makes one hell of a drink, though.

5.) RANGOON: Dharyll Shudba, Staff Sergeant, and certified pilot of T-105s, T-116s and IAE-19s. Has served in the Chegue and Brasilistan campaigns as part of Air Harassment, specifics unavailable. Contacts to experts in vehicle procurement and MG emplacement services.

These 5 will be working together a lot, and you'll be part of it... a lot. Keep in mind that 576-Nunek is smaller than the rest of 576, but they're hardened - expect the best from them. At your request, the rosters for team Alfa, Baker, Kabskawt, and Eksod will be handed over.

Warmest regards,

<<Chip>>





 
Marcos Imperial Observations
San Domingo Branch

To: Maj. Lucio Aguntalan

Let that be it then. Once you read this message, consider Operation TO-MAY as officially online .



MAGSULONG TAYO PANGA SA NASALALANGTA.





Exchange of EMails, Right Before OPERATION TO-MAY is the first story written in the Coup series of tales. Its follow-up is Code Biyernes.

Code Biyernes: (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=404585)

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Internal Affairs Bureau -- Interview Transcript #373
Branch classified.

Lt. Ludvigo, 4th Division Commander
Quezon City Branch

Notice: Interview Transcript #373 is classified Tonying-level clearance. This is a Tonying-Baker-class Censored copy of the interview. Unauthorized possession / consumption of material will be considered an act of High Treason by Command.

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10:30 PM

Branch classified.

Security Detail █ ████ ███ "████ Alfa"

<Pres. Jingbong:> They say that the first rule of being a successful dictator is to make your generals as angry as possible.

<Ludvigo:> You really need to brush up on your oratorial skills, Mr. President.

<Pres. Jingbong uncorks a bottle of wine and pours himself a drink.>

<Ludvigo:> You know of the Acampano Incident?

<Pres. Jingbong:> Huh, mm-hmm. Which one are we talking about? There's at least three of them.

<Ludvigo:> I'm talking about Major Aguntalan. The 2011 Coup Attempt in Dipolog. Where the suspects to your could-be assassination were never identified by HIS Dipolog... the lead investigator of that branch was Captain Libliban. █████ █ ██ █████ ████ ██ █████████ ████ Names ring any bells?

<Pres. Jingbong:> Lucio Aguntalan. He was part of my father's security detail, and was in Task Force Binangon...

<Ludvigo:> The same Task Force Binangon that was the only team closest to your father when...

<Pres. Jingbong's guards raise their rifles, aiming at Lt. Ludvigo.>

<Pres. Jingbong:> Hold. Lieutenant Ludvigo has the permission to speak freely.

<██████████████:> █████ ██████████████ ██████ ███████████████████ ███████████████████████████

██████████████ ███ █ ██████ █ ███ ██ ███

<Pres. Jingbong:> ███ ███ ██████████ █████ ████████████████

<Ludvigo:> Duly noted. What do you have to say, Mr. President?

<Ludvigo:> The Major has since lay low. He's taken a job at MIO in San Domingo.

<Pres. Jingbong:> Are you monitoring Major Aguntalan's activities? I believe that is in breach of your mission statement, and █████, Lieutenant. Leave the observations to IAB and MPSO. There's no need for gossip and conspiracies when I have Acampano's men bringing down my country.

<Ludvigo:> We haven't pinned anything solid on him yet, but we believe he has ulterior motives. This man can't be trusted, Mr. President. He's been involved too much, he has extensive knowledge on the presidents' security detail, military secrets above Clearance 8... the full package for an efficient terrorist. Who's to say he hasn't been funding his own terror cell? Maybe even struck a deal with someone else on the inside.

<Pres. Jingbong:> And I suppose this 'someone else' is Captain Libliban?

<Ludvigo:> I actually brought actionable data on Captain Libliban from the IAB, through Lieutenant Guinso's men. We've traced several heavily encrypted messages between the Captain and Major Aguntalan, with activity at its peak mostly before, during, or after we get another attack from Acampano. No one from Counter-Dissidence has a dossier about sending those two, so they're obviously not acting on our commands.

<Ludvigo presents a folder to Pres. Jingbong. Content classified.
 
<Pres. Jingbong:> That's... disconcerting, honestly speaking. Our main suspects for terrorism activity, aside from Acampano, were ███████ and ███ ███████. We've never got wind of their areas of activity, but, then again, their activity has been... sporadic, as of lately. If I can divulge from our insiders, it seems someone else killed both of them. Who are you contacting from CDB?

<Ludvigo:> That's not important right now, Mr. President.

<Ludvigo pours himself a drink and promptly sips.>

<Ludvigo:> The incident with Area 12 was all the chaos I needed to come to this. As you know, I've been working with Agent Dominador on Oplan Kaharian for two months now. Traced, tracked, interrogated, terminated... we've handled over a hundred special action cases since our activation last month. Our detainment of Dr. Hermon proved that our operation is working. I'm here to convince you to sign a legislation.

<Ludvigo presents another folder to Pres. Jingbong. Under Presidential Decree, Content is Strictly Classified.>

<Ludvigo:> Eyeball thinks that, for Oplan Kaharian to work effectively, we need to secure more of your database. That means names, dates, addresses. Funding and manpower would also be highly appreciated. A few well-placed satellite posts, or field agent feeds. Doing this will put the Philippines right under the sword, and maybe pave the way for another invasion. Good work on the colony in Brunistan. Our armed forces have grown significantly for that. But if we don't secure our forces', our nation will be torn apart from the inside-out by any number of terrorists - agenda-of-self or maybe even back from foreign nations.

<Pres. Jingbong wires Col. ███ ██████, Gen. ██ ██ ███>

<Pres. Jingbong:> You're essentially telling me to further arm the First Empire of the Philippines to set up more foreign invasions?

<Ludvigo:> Every nation near us wants us dead. Acampano was born and raised here, but holds strong ideals with the North, ideals that fuel the rampage of an already mad man. If you act on the intel I gave you, there will be six Batillod-class bombers en route to Camite within the next hour. From Jungdu. You can choose not to act on it, as you like.

<Pres. Jingbong:> And you want me to create another task force?

<Ludvigo:> Not necessarily. I want you to give me Clearance 3 on 414th Unit, and re-brand it as part of my division.

<Pres. Jingbong:> Pretty shifty requests from a man like you, Lieutenant.

<Pres. Jingbong:> Be that as it may, I will notify you when I have agreed to this.

<Pres. Jingbong:> We'll discuss this in a more secure location sometime soon.



Code Biyernes is a follow-up to Exchange of EMails, Right Before Operation TO-MAY in the Coup series of stories.

Exchange of EMails, Right Before Operation TO-MAY:  (https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=403447)