Original subtitles

"Stoking the Anger of the Sleeping Warrior"

Once again, the cheaters win.

You know,

if you're really educated,

you would, day and night,

mourn the victims of this administration...

You can afford to laugh, huh?

What?

Still don't get it?

They're killing your neighbors in the streets!

They're killing us!

Time and time again, they succeed

and they abuse us because majority of Filipinos...

Screw it! Like you people...

You're all the same.

Pretending to be blind

while those who are protecting your rights

are massacred in the streets!

In the mountains!

Useless!

This is useless!

What are all of these for?

This is all useless if none of you ever learn!

You...

You didn't even vote, did you?

Didn't wanna ruin your nail polish?

Sir, I can't vote. I'm only 16.

There's no point to these books,

to this classroom...

this college!

Out of everything that's taught here,

you need only learn one thing:

All of us...

woman or man, young or old...

we all have a moral obligation to the country.

We all have to aid in stopping and dismantling

the abuses of the ruling class!

We all have to fight starting in this classroom!

In the streets! In the mountains!

Think about it.

How can we enact change

if we intellectuals are here, busy yapping?

What threw him off?

[students murmuring]

"They're killing your neighbors in the streets!"

"They're killing us!"

Have you seen this video?

This is the one, man.

You should not have laughed.

This one's been called out.

[students murmuring]

He even threw a fit.

- Then he walked out. - Really?

Just send it to me.

I'll go ahead. Bye!

[students murmuring]

That's what we have been talking about.

He threw it.

- Geez... - He's too much.

It's him, right?

We should report him.

"It's Better to be a Gardener in the Garden"

"Ma, this is Jose.

I know that you did not want me to leave.

I hope my disobedience doesn't anger you..."

You think I have something to do with this?

"But I need to know the life

of our marginalized countrymen."

Why don't you ask the counselors

why the kids are going up the mountains?

"I need to know how to help those in need.

I left to deepen my knowledge of the movement,

and learn if I have the courage

to fulfill my duty as a Filipino.

With love,

Jose."

Jose Santos and Simon Manuel

left Manila to study the movement.

Maybe they left to...

immerse. There's nothing wrong with immersion.

Really?

Jose is searching for an alternative way to know the state of the country.

The kid wants to learn.

He's seeking the truth.

Isn't that what we do in the classroom?

To search for the truth?

Does that make us bad?

Coffee?

What?

I'm asking if you want coffee.

Sure.

Mike,

you invited me to...

catch-up. Why does this feel...

like an interrogation?

'Cause I'm running out of ways

to explain why this thing keeps happening.

Mike, you know why.

The students have awakened.

You also know

how aggressive this administration is towards teachers and students.

Last year,

a teacher's union in Davao

was tagged as terrorists.

Last month, police mobiles were going around the campus.

Let's take a little care, Victor.

We're so full of care, of fear...

I'm not afraid for myself.

I'm thinking of the kids.

Mike, they're smart.

They know right from wrong.

Son of a bitch, Victor, they're just kids.

Those kids might think

that up there, they could walk a red carpet to their heroism.

This country needs heroes.

We have plenty of heroes... where are they now?

However it ends, we teachers must stand against fascism.

We are all fighting against fascism.

Are we?

Weren't you...

Weren't you there when I

talked to the military and police to stop red-tagging the students?

You were also there when I asked the Mayor

to stop the police from making rounds

and harassing our students.

Is that enough?

Is there nothing more...

than asking favors from those in power?

Shit, Mike!

If those pigs were really listening, things would be better now.

You still don't get it, huh?

I have to explain it one by one.

Last year in Isabela,

how many researchers were threatened

- 'cause they were branded rebels? - We are not in the wrong, Mike.

The other year, in October,

the Director General of the police

directly stated that the students and the school administration were part of

a conspiracy plot they called 'Red October.'

We must choose a side,

- we can't be neutral all the time... - What side?

What are you saying?

That we make our students go up the mountains

and charge at soldiers armed with M16s?

Fine.

What do you want to happen?

Write letters to fascists

and ask them to stop being fascists?

Or a signature campaign?

Why don't we organize a field trip to Forbes Park,

tell the students

to knock on the doors of the rich and say,

"Share us some of your wealth!"

If revolution is the answer,

why are you here?

If those kids die,

will you face their families?

Hey, don't smoke there.

Let's step outside.

I need to water my plants.

There are plenty of rebels,

activists, disgruntled people from the university

because the government is corrupt and the kids are empowered.

And their decision's right?

Yes!

Why are you so sure?

'Cause you read it in a book?

You're saying it's wrong to fight corruption?

That's not what I asked.

What I'm asking is, how could you

be so sure

about a movement that you've never been a part of?

You have so many stories about protest,

sacrifice, doing the right thing.

But where are you?

Here in the garden.

There are many ways of resisting.

There are members who don't believe in armed struggle.

The movement has representation,

in culture, in education, in politics.

Where are you?

In education.

Let's not kid ourselves, Victor.

You're not part of the movement.

They don't deal with stubborn people.

But I'm one with the aims and beliefs of the movement.

I'd believe you more

if you admit that,

like me,

you prefer to fight fascism from the comforts of this garden.

It's relaxing,

the coffee's good,

and there are no bullets flying your way.

We have different responsibilities, Mike.

It's okay.

It's okay.

Not everyone has a soldier's heart, the courage to face a bullet.

My point is,

don't promote a war if you're not fighting it in the front lines.

What right have we got to speak of courage and sacrifice?

Why?

What sacrifice have we made, Victor?

So you're calling me a coward?

What do you call a person who uses children

to fight for beliefs that he can't fight for himself?

Michael,

choose your words carefully. We're friends, but be careful.

You know,

just like your lectures about communism, protest, rebellion, and the revolution,

your threats

are strong words, that's all.

Get in here.

There's something else we need to discuss.

Mike,

what's happened to you?

We used to

be on the same side,

now you're one of them.

Who's "them"?

Those activists who have given in to the system.

We've never been on the same side.

You never had a side.

You've just stepped in as a substitute teacher

of Policy and Governance for a week,

and you're suddenly a rebel?

So you believe in nothing I've said?

Believe what?

Aren't you just regurgitating the speeches you've heard from rebels

you haven't even met nor spoken to?

Because you're here

and they're there.

Here.

What's that?

Read it.

Forced leave?

A sabbatical.

The decision didn't come from me.

It's from the board.

Either you go on leave or you get suspended, you choose.

I don't wanna think about it.

I teach what's right, and get punished for it?

How is paid leave a punishment?

Think about it,

you're being given this chance to be an example of real bravery.

Why don't you go and teach bravery to those kids who went up the mountains...

I didn't tell them to go to the mountains!

What is this?

You want me to come out as a rebel leader

to make your job easier?

So I'm the sacrificial lamb for your boss.

To allay those who are grumbling.

If you weren't my friend,

you'd be signing far worse than a sabbatical.

Don't be mad at me.

I'm just doing my job.

Who do I get mad at then?

The bloodthirsty state is just doing its job too, right?

How are you different?

If you don't know the answer to that,

then you do have a problem.

"Those Who Help Terrorists Get Mistaken for Terrorists" (Part 1)

- Chief. - Yeah.

I got it.

Chief, have we gotten in touch with their parents?

Of the terrorists?

"Terrorists?"

Be careful with those two.

Those who help terrorists get mistaken for terrorists.

Have you logged in?

Yes.

I'm there.

See? 11.

It's already two o'clock.

We'll just call your office to confirm the transfer.

Got it, sir.

There seems to be a delay due to your lunch break, I think.

Yeah, I know.

Let's just wait for a bit, okay?

Yes, sir.

Ramirez,

call them.

Take a seat, ma'am.

Don't tire yourself.

No, I'm fine.

I've been sitting

for three hours.

Chief,

is it right for you

to call those kids terrorists

when you have no evidence,

not even an investigation?

A minute ago, you called the kids terrorists.

But aren't they studying in that breeding ground of communists?

Oh,

is that the basis

for arresting them?

Their academic record?

What kind of investigation are we conducting here, chief?

Maybe

you're just taking them in

based on their school IDs?

They were seen at the scene of the crime.

And when they were asked why they were there, they gave conflicting answers.

Chief, maybe they just panicked.

Why would you panic if you did nothing wrong?

Chief.

With all the shootings

by police officers,

anyone would get flustered.

The witness said

someone left behind a bag inside the church.

Bag? What kind of bag...

did they leave it,

what kind?

A backpack.

That's my point,

all kids carry backpacks,

right?

Are they kids?

Chief, they're only seventeen.

They're CICL...

"children in conflict with the law".

They're not even supposed to be here.

They're supposed to

be detained in the youth center.

Not here.

May I see them?

We're calling them already.

Right. Thank you.

Take a seat.

Wait a little.

They'll get back in a bit.

They're busy.

Ma'am Jill,

what...

what do you know about terrorism?

"Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation against civilians."

So if

the two kids inside your cell are civilians,

you're the terrorist here.

You know, ma'am,

I know about terrorism too.

Well I sure do hope so, since

you're the police chief.

Makes sense.

You remember the Rizal Day bombing?

Chief, bombing isn't part of the movement's MO.

So they are members of the movement?

Oh, we don't know that.

And even rebels

must go through

due process when they're arrested.

You know, they're all the same.

The movement has nothing to do with bombings.

Oh,

we don't know that.

Yes, we do.

Because it was a

member of an Islamic terrorist group

that was charged and imprisoned

for that bombing.

Oh?

How do you know so much about terrorism?

You're not a police chief.

You don't need to be one

to know how to read the news.

Chief, it's approved.

We just need verification from a social welfare officer.

Thank you.

May I head downstairs now?

"The Hope of Our Nation, Always in Prison"

Can you sit?

Simon, just tell them the truth.

If we don't talk, we'll have it worse.

Bro, there's no case.

We did nothing wrong.

If we admit the reason why we were there,

they'll have more cause to keep us detained.

If we give them the name of our contact, they might let us go.

What information do we give them?

We know nothing!

Shit! We haven't even gotten to where we need to go and we got caught already.

The Geneva convention says torture is a war crime.

They're not supposed to do this.

The hell you talking about?!

You think there's a referee in the revolution?

What revolution?

We didn't go here to have a gunfight with soldiers.

We're here to be with the farmers,

to let others know how they live.

An immersion.

Right.

But they're asking us why we were there in that church.

So, Jose, we say, "Just to hear mass, sir."

Why'd you have to talk about those other things?

The reason why they won't stop asking is 'cause that's what they want to hear.

Mon,

please,

Let's just tell them.

The reason why we were in that church on that day was to meet up with our contact

for the immersion.

Then what?

Who are they gonna arrest, huh?

Who?

Didn't you see that church blow up, where we were gonna meet that guide?

We need a lawyer, you ass.

Let's get one.

Screw the lawyer!

What are you gonna tell him?

That we have nothing to do with the bombing.

Then why were we there?

Shit, we're going in circles... for the immersion!

We were gonna meet up with our contact!

Mr. Jose Santos,

you think it's gonna help our case if we say

we're going on an immersion with farmers?

There's nothing wrong with immersing...

I know!

But who are we talking to?

For them, people who help out farmers are automatically terrorists.

When you say "immersion,"

what they hear is "war."

"Revolution."

But why?

How do I know?

What kind of question is that?

Maybe that's how your brain works when you're trigger-happy.

A fascist.

I dunno.

Jose, the point is,

we can't use the word immersion.

Why not?

Shit, use your brains!

This is nothing like joining a varsity basketball team!

What "joining" are you talking about?

I'm here to learn, to open my eyes.

I'm not cut out for this.

"to open my eyes."

How will your eyes open

when you haven't seen nothing yet, but you're backing out already?

This.

Look at it!

This is what I saw.

This isn't for me, damn it!

Before we got here,

you were so sure you wouldn't change your mind.

Remember?

You said you knew this was right.

That you were ready for this...

No.

I didn't know!

Simon, we went here

to find out if we could live this life.

We weren't sure.

That's why we were gonna speak to them...

Well I've been sure for a long time.

Are you serious? We're so young.

We can still do so much, learn so much.

There are other paths we've yet to know.

I already know.

This, this is the way.

Bro,

if we don't speak up, we're done for.

What if they never release us? We'll never get home.

Why?

You miss your Wi-Fi?

Your air conditioner?

Your Food Panda?

Of course!

Don't you miss anything?

No!

I never had those things.

Maybe you're confused,

you're not sure if you can sacrifice all your comforts for the nation.

'Cause I never had those comforts.

We didn't grow up having the same things.

We don't live similar lives. That's why I'm here.

I'm here 'cause even between you and me, there's already a difference.

You have Wi-Fi, air conditioning.

While they, like me, have none of these things.

Tell me,

are you and your family the only people

who deserve these luxuries?

- No... I know we don't... - Why? 'Cause you work harder than us, huh?

No...

Or are you better than me, Mr. Jose Santos?

I'm just some hick who grew up in the fields.

Who am I compared to you, right?

I said I disagree... keep your voice down!

No?

Fine.

So let me ask you:

should everyone who's born rich, like you, be hailed by society?

Yes, Mon, I know it's wrong -

You know what's wrong then you should also know what's right!

I know. I know what's right...

Wow, he knows what's right! You know what's right.

But you can't accept it. Why?

Because you benefit from what's wrong!

Damn it, Simon, that's not what I'm saying!

What I'm saying is I'm afraid.

I'm afraid.

You think you're the only one who's afraid?

You think I'm not afraid?

Who isn't afraid of getting shot?

Our only difference is,

I'm more afraid to be oppressed than to get shot.

Well I'm afraid to get shot...

Well, screw you, Jose!

Screw you!

Your whole life,

you've only had to live through one bad night.

Just imagine what farmers go through when they're forced out of their own land.

Coerced, murdered, ruined.

A lot of them have been pleading to government officials for decades,

praying to every saint in church.

Nothing.

No one listens.

Not even God.

Now, Jose, if you were in their shoes,

wouldn't you defend yourself?

What if it's your family, your relatives that they're slaughtering?

Will you still put off fighting?

Think!

I don't know.

All I know is, I'm scared.

This is not for me.

Shut up.

Someone's here.

"Those Who Help Terrorists Get Mistaken for Terrorists" (Part 2)

You see, ma'am?

We treat suspected bombers well.

How are you?

We're good, ma'am.

My name's Jill.

Jill Sebastian.

Social Welfare and Development Officer from the local government.

Ma'am, help us. We're innocent.

What do you mean, innocent?

What are you doing here if you're innocent?

Having a vacation in rebel camps, huh?

They're all the same, ma'am.

You know, ma'am,

a terrorist killed my firstborn.

Condolences, sir...

Fourteen years old, ma'am.

That's a real kid.

Younger than these two.

Have you spoken to your parents?

We haven't, ma'am.

Ma'am, wait.

Can I talk to you for a minute, ma'am?

Chief...

Just a second, ma'am.

Ma'am,

please,

just give these two to me, as a reward.

Reward? What, is this a game to you?

What are they,

prize money?

This is kinda personal to me, ma'am.

Chief, there's nothing personal here. We're just doing our jobs.

I'm asking you nicely, ma'am, just give my people more time,

they will find a reason to detain these two.

So...

I am right. You don't have a reason to detain them?

Ma'am, this is important to me!

Chief, it's not my job to care about what's important to you.

When the Rizal Day bombing happened,

my kid just wanted to get home early and practice with his basketball team.

But, chief,

that bombing has nothing to do with this. That was ages ago.

It's their kind that murdered my son!

They're suspected bombers and you want me to release them!

Chief, I understand your outrage...

- Oh, really? You do? - Many lives were lost...

- I get that. - You don't understand.

- What else is there to understand? - You don't and you never will.

Because...

You've never walked

inside a blown up train.

Or walked down flooring that's sticky with blood

and chunks of flesh,

that cling to the soles of your shoes.

Chief, I have a child, too.

You've never had to smell your eldest son burnt to a crisp, Ma'am Jill.

Bombing isn't part of the movement's M.O....

You've never had to ask yourself, "Shit, which blackened face is my son's?"

Ma'am Jill?

I'm begging you,

write these two off for me.

Fine.

I'm letting you go.

As you should, Chief, 'cause you've no reason to keep them detained.

Ma'am,

with all due respect,

I'm happy that

you're here to escort them out.

Because I promise you, ma'am, once they're out

I'll kill these assholes myself.

Chief,

can we refrain from making threats here?

You're forcing me to file a report.

The office will conduct interviews and they'll demand evidence.

You think I'm afraid of a report?

No, I'm not trying to scare you. What I'm saying is, if any threats are made,

it'll be more workload for everyone.

I have so many things to do... I am bone-tired.

I've been around for a long time,

you think a report will scare me?

You want me to remind you...

Hey, you two sons of bitches!

You bastards,

if you get out, I will look for you myself

and pull the trigger!

- That's enough, chief! - Do you understand?

That's enough, chief.

You're just tired, chief.

We're all tired.

We lack sleep.

Let's just go to rest.

These lucky idiots!

I wonder when your luck will run out?

You too, ma'am.

Be careful.

Those who help terrorists

get mistaken for terrorists.

That's what they say.

Ramirez!

Ramirez!

Yes, chief!

Let these assholes go.

We don't wanna hassle Ma'am Jill's boss

by making it hard for her to have these terrorists set free.

"Awaiting the Lord's Confession"

"The Endless Echoes of a Merciless Bombing"

You're late.

Heard the news?

Saw it on TV.

Didn't finish watching it.

It's not right, Gab.

It's unfair.

Did you catch them?

Who?

They said there were suspects.

Yeah, we did.

You hurt them?

Tell me how you did it.

Tell what?

What you did to them.

I wanna hear how you hurt them.

Never mind that, love, you might lose sleep.

No.

I need to hear it.

I remember what they did to our son.

I saw the pictures of the church.

I remember what they did to him.

Please, love!

A few minutes after the explosion,

they saw the two.

My crew thought they were obviously not from there.

So, when they went up to them, the two made a dash for it.

How were they caught?

We cornered them in an alley.

I'll shoot him now, boss.

Not here, people will see.

When we asked them what they were doing there,

they couldn't answer.

Why are you here?

It's so obvious they were hiding something.

And then?

Then, we handcuffed them.

The hell you doing?!

Handcuff this one. Don't just watch there!

I told them to make it tight so it bores into their skin.

Where did you take them?

To the precinct.

To make them confess. To interrogate them.

Even before we got to the precinct,

the other one started crying.

We're innocent!

Shut up!

I said shut up!

Then I told him, "Hey, if I hear you talking, I'll blow your brains out."

And then?

Then the idiot pissed on himself.

Why?

What did you do?

I was so mad, I told Ramirez,

"Take the other one downstairs, leave the crybaby here till he confesses."

Bring him downstairs,

leave the crybaby here.

Show me.

You sure?

You know,

at the start,

we play it nice.

Act nice.

You

sniff them up.

I said, "Ramirez,

our suspect looks tired. Give him a massage."

I'm ticklish!

Then, you feel them up.

I asked him, "Kid, they say you fell.

Is that how you got that bruise?"

They punched me...

What? No one punched you. You fell!

So you fell? No one punched you.

I'm okay, Chief.

Please stop, sir.

Then,

you lightly pat them.

You getting sleepy, huh?

You sleepy?

I'm okay!

You sleepy?

I'm okay!

Ramirez, he's sleepy. Get him coffee.

Gutierrez!

Coffee for the Chief!

Wait.

Isn't the coffee steaming?

Of course.

So I told him to do it slowly.

Want some?

Sir, please...

I even burned myself.

Wait!

Did he confess?

What else did you do to him?

He won't confess. So I asked for bullets.

You shot him?

Shot him?

No, we can't do that.

I put them in between the fingers.

Oh, I thought you shot him.

We can't just shoot him there.

Will it hurt?

- This? - Yeah.

Wanna try it?

Wanna try it?

We put them here,

then I'll ask a question.

"Did you do it?"

Ouch, shit!

It hurts!

I told you!

Did he confess?

He wouldn't talk.

So I asked him, "What are you, NPA?

Abu Sayyaf? MNLF?"

All of that!

I'm all of that!

No. That can't be.

- Why not? - It just can't.

Why not?

So, I grilled him some more.

I asked for gasoline.

"Ramirez! Let's have some gasoline!"

Gutierrez! Gas for the Chief!

Problem was, Gutierrez

the rookie poured too much gas,

it stunk up the whole precinct.

Damn, Gutierrez,

you tanked up!

Then,

I scared him some more.

I asked Ramirez for a lighter.

Did you plant the bomb?

You put it there, didn't you?

You ran 'cause you were hiding something, huh?

I don't know anything!

Wait! Wait!

Tell us the truth!

Wait! Wait!

I can't breathe!

I remembered JR.

I'm sorry. He didn't cross my mind.

You did the right thing, right?

You had to do that, right?

'Cause if you didn't,

no one would confess.

I did it so that

what happened to JR may never happen again.

What's important is they were caught.

How long will they stay in jail?

That's the problem.

Problem?

They had to be transferred.

And last I heard,

they were released due to lack of evidence.

They were brought to the youth center a while ago.

Why did you let them?

Why'd you let them escape?

We can't hold them without evidence...

But they were caught in the scene of the crime, correct?

But there were no weapons, no...

Shit, Gab!

You already caught them,

but you let them go.

So what you're saying is,

you tortured terrorists then let them go?

We're not even sure if they're terrorists.

If you weren't sure, why'd you torture them?!

You weren't there, you don't understand...

Gab!

Two terrorists fresh from torture

are prowling nearby.

If they didn't have a reason to bomb our house then, they do now!

We don't know if they're terrorists.

The social worker said, maybe...

Maybe, maybe, maybe!

Are you even a policeman?

'Maybe"?

Didn't you investigate?

It doesn't matter if they were terrorists or not,

you know why?

You know why?

'Cause if you

were tortured and you pissed your pants, what would you do?

I would

join the enemy,

to get back at the animals who hurt me.

What are you saying? That I shoulda killed them?

Yes!

Those terrorists you tortured,

they're not afraid of getting arrested, jailed, tortured, or killed.

Hell no!

They're bringing bombs inside their backpacks!

Gab, you didn't finish the job.

You didn't.

The terrorists you let loose can take revenge on us.

They weren't terrorists...

Says who!?

That social worker

who put one over you?

Where you off to now?

"In a Tangle of Grass by the Road"

A young man was found dead at this roadside early this morning.

According to Brian Arce, a street sweeper,

he was cleaning the area when he saw the body face down

in a tangle of grass by the road.

According to the investigation of the PNP crime laboratory,

apart from his face being skinned,

the victim was also disemboweled.

The police are continuing their investigation

to identify the persons behind this crime.

Liz?

Ma'am?

Who's this Bobby Barbers?

A state-sponsored reporter, attorney.

So, a propagandist?

I'm not sure.

Helen was planning to visit her son in "House of Hope,"

a juvenile detention and rehabilitation center in the province of Batangas,

after her son was accused of bombing a church.

But due to lack of evidence,

the authorities were forced to release the minors.

Unfortunately,

Jose Santos is believed to have been murdered on his way home to Manila.

His classmate, Simon Manuel, is still currently missing.

Liz, is this second video legit?

It's speculative, ma'am,

there are no reports yet about the identity of the body found.

Thank you.

Authorities have yet to identify the people behind the killings,

and because investigation is on-going,

the body has not been released.

But this did not hold back the mother of Jose Santos, Helen Santos,

from organizing funeral services for her son.

Meanwhile, the classmates of the alleged victim, Jose Santos,

continue to demand the conviction

of lead murder suspect, Police Chief Gabriel Ventura.

When asked to comment on the accusations against him,

his only words are,

"Whatever I did, I did for our country."

Liz.

Ma'am?

Chief Ventura admitted to the murder?

According to the news.

But why?

Do we have anything on this?

Yes.

The red binder has the Chief's records,

the yellow has all the crime scene info,

including SOCO reports and blood sample data.

Thanks, Liz. Go home.

It's late.

You might get stuck in traffic.

Thanks, attorney.

Can you turn off the lights when you leave?

- Will do. - Thank you.

I'll go ahead.

Hello.

Okay, I'm saying taking it.

"Every Politician's Favorite Color"

Good afternoon, Chief Ventura, glad you could make it.

Atty. Esmeralda Gonzales,

welcome to the law firm.

Why was I brought here?

We'll talk about that. Let's sit.

I heard you rejected the lawyer provided by PAO?

I don't need them, attorney.

I would too, if I was offered a lawyer from PAO.

I get you, chief.

Why would I need an attorney

if I admit to it?

Admit to what, chief?

Attorney, I'm a policeman.

I know the punishment for my acts.

Chief, if you confess,

the whole police force will be investigated by the CHR.

You know, attorney,

I want the enemy to be afraid of us.

How will that happen if we keep harping on about human rights?

The enemy? Which enemy?

Terrorists, who else?

But who's gonna arrest these terrorists if people like you are in jail?

I just want to show that police officers

are ready to die, to be tortured, to be locked up.

So what you're saying is,

you're ready to plead guilty to killing Jose Santos

if it proves that the police is ready to kill for the sake of justice.

- Is that so? - Correct.

And I'm ready to pay for my sins.

That's what you call nationalism.

Chief, that "nationalism"

is only for people without passports.

You hold a passport, right?

Cigarettes?

I used to believe in that nationalism of yours.

I would even attend rallies before.

But nothing happened.

The stupid voters kept voting back the evil people we had kicked out.

Then, whenever I'd complain

and blame them for it,

they'd say, "Why do you have an opinion when you aren't affected?"

I used to get so pissed when they threw that at me.

But now I understand.

Why will they listen to me when,

no matter who's in charge,

I always get the same salary, my life stays comfortable.

Right?

Why bet on a person with no stakes?

You're comfortable, attorney, 'cause you aren't affected.

There are no terrorists 'round your yard.

Chief, if there was one in yours,

be better at your job,

adjust your lifestyle, save up,

then find a new house that's terrorist-free.

I don't think you'll ever get it, attorney,

because I'm fighting for my principles,

which I don't think you've got.

I don't even know what colors you support.

Sometimes yellow, sometimes red.

But I don't give a damn about those colors.

'Cause you and I know

that all politicians only like one color.

What?

This.

Gold.

How 'bout you, chief?

What's your favorite color?

Is it gold too?

Who paid you to confess to the murder?

Not all policemen can be bought.

Yeah, right?

So you're just dumb for free?

I killed Jose Santos...

And I'm the next Darna...

I'm not kidding, attorney.

Come on, chief,

you didn't do it.

Nor can you admit that you're involved.

The media's already roasting the government,

we're accused of EJK's and red-tagging all our critics...

and now, we have to deal with you?

This isn't about you.

Don't you get it?

So even if I say I did it...

But you didn't, chief.

First off,

there were finger prints found at the crime scene.

On the teenager's neck.

They weren't yours.

What if I said I planted it?

Remember, I'm a policeman.

Secondly,

the cause of death was clearly a head trauma.

He was hit on the head,

the force of the blow

coming from the left.

You're right-handed.

It's easy to set these up.

Thirdly,

there's a DNA and blood sample from the victim's nails.

The suspect is Type O.

You're Type B.

We both know

it's easy to rig a crime scene.

I can add anything,

from a gun, to money, blood, drugs, name it.

Fourthly,

the forensic fire exam.

We have a team that took a peek

at the records of your service fire arm, chief.

So?

Naturally I won't use my gun, so it won't be traced back to me.

It really won't,

because

in your long career as a police officer,

you've never fired your gun, not once.

I can kill, attorney.

Sure.

But you haven't.

If you knew who's guilty, why not arrest them?

Why not tell the media?

Because we don't know

the victim's identity yet, right, chief?

But I have my own theory.

We believe

that the two kids went

to an immersion

in a community of farmers.

That's confirmed.

Jose left a note to his mom.

Now, he can't just join the movement.

They'll have to rendezvous at some place first

to see if they can commit.

Somewhere safe,

like a church.

No military.

But before they got in,

the church exploded.

Then they didn't do it.

No.

But when we asked them, they didn't know how to answer.

What will they answer?

"We haven't joined the movement.

We're just applying for an internship."

Chief,

come on.

If not them,

who?

Chief, I heard the election here is so dirty.

So many machines breaking down,

talks of threats and vote-buying...

What does this have to do with elections?

No, no...

Both parties said that even if they're enemies,

they're both united against terrorism.

Of course that's their press release.

You think they'd admit on TV that they're killing each other off?

Chief,

there are survivors

who said that the new governor held a thanksgiving mass.

The old governor

must have taken it badly.

So what did the two have to do with it?

You arrested them and now you want me to explain?

Where are they, the suspects?

You put their names in the list of known rebels.

They had only two options:

One, to join. Two, to hide.

Simon must've probably joined, went up the mountains.

The other one,

the mama's boy, Jose?

He just wanted to go home to Manila.

Jose is alive?

He was seen at a terminal.

He was believed to have gone home to his mom.

Then who is the corpse?

Who knows?

We aren't friends on Facebook. We're not close.

But the mother claims that Jose is dead.

Chief, isn't it obvious?

Mom lied

so the police would stop running after her son, the suspected bomber.

I'm willing to bet,

he's just in his mother's house.

"Light at the End of the Tunnel"

"Hero"

We need to leave.

Mom, why are you doing this?

I said,

we must leave.

This is embarrassing, Mom...

Son of a bitch,

Jose, you mess around with your life.

Mom, please...

I brought you to a good school

to live a comfortable life,

then you throw away everything I worked hard for?

We don't know who the victim is and we cannot say it was me.

If they think that it's you, then they will stop.

Jose, my inbox is still full of death threats.

Countless idiots asking me how it feels to have raised a terrorist.

I just wanted to fight for...

For what, huh?

Are you poor?

Did they violate your rights?

You go to a good school,

your room has an air conditioner, your toilet has a bidet...

But that's me.

How about the problems of other people?

That's their problem!

So let them turn into rebels!

Why did you have to do it?

Mom, it's not like that.

We're going to Australia

to live with your aunt.

I called up a friend in the embassy.

Be grateful that I still have those connections, Jose, damn you.

If your aunt from the DOJ hadn't called me,

I wouldn't have known that you were arrested!

Mom, I did what was right.

You know, you bored Gen Z kids

and your random shit.

Other people your age go on TikTok and play ML.

While your thing is what? Revolution!?

For God's sake, Jose,

just go on TikTok.

I'll even join you dance.

If Dad were alive, he'd understand...

He won't understand anything because he's dead!

While I bend over backwards to feed you,

your father was busy fighting for justice, so here we are.

Shit, Jose,

out of everything you could inherit from your father, you choose this?

You wanna be killed too?

But if no one resists, they will abuse their power.

That's what your father said too before he died, right?

That he had to cover the scheduled filing of someone's certificate of candidacy,

and that politician was warned

that he would be killed if he decided to run. Your father knew that.

I, too, warned him not to go.

But did he listen?

What'd he do?

He still joined the convoy.

He did his duty.

To report and defend the truth.

All I'm saying, Jose,

is that you should have learned from your father's death.

Let those idiots kill each other for their beliefs.

Because it's not your job to save the damn country.

Your only job, Jose, is to graduate.

And my job as your mother

Is to make sure you don't get slaughtered like your father!

Dad was a hero, what he did was right!

Hero, Jose? Where's the hero, tell me?

Where's his monument?

Is his face on money?

Explain to me, Jose, how your father is a hero.

Is there less corruption in government?

Are the dictators gone? They're still here, aren't they?

Dad was a hero, Mom.

Screw it, he's not!

You're father's not the hero! Not him!

Damn it, I am!

I'm the hero here!

I made the sacrifice, I did the work,

I slaved away abroad just to put you in school.

Shit, I did all of that.

Alone. 'Cause you were still a child when your father died!

Shit!

You cannot throw and waste that life away which I worked so hard for!

To honor that heroic father of yours who,

supposedly, gave everything to the country, but gave nothing to raise you!

I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry.

Go to your room.

Don't come out until I tell you to.

Go on.

"Justice is a Maiden with Her Eyes Closed"

Mrs. Santos.

I just wish to offer my condolences.

Come in.

My name is Victor. I am...

I know who you are.

I saw your video.

Vic,

plenty of people tell me I should be angry with you.

Because Jose was brainwashed by people like you.

What can you say about that?

Ma'am, I do not wish

you to be angry

but if you are, I understand.

I don't believe in that

brainwash business.

I just want to understand why they haven't returned my son to me.

I can't even bring home his body.

I still don't understand what he's there for.

Jose is a nationalist.

He went up there

to know the life of those fighting for freedom.

Whose freedom?

It's complicated, ma'am.

There's a saying in our province in Bulacan

that truth, if it's real,

is easy to explain and easy to understand.

The people who hold positions,

those in power,

continue to abuse ordinary citizens.

So

there are those who believe

that the only solution is the people's war.

Why is Jose the only one fighting?

Don't you believe that, too?

I do.

Then why aren't you in the mountains?

Because

Jose is braver than I am.

Can you explain again how kids in a shootout with soldiers can help the poor?

It's hard to explain.

Try.

I'm listening.

There are those who believe

that they must

take up arms

against the abusive government system.

A seventeen-year-old

will fight the government system?

It's not that simple, ma'am...

Why should Jose do it?

Isn't it the politicians' job to fix the government?

When politicians fail to do their job,

- the citizens must act in order to... - Oh, we're kidding ourselves here, Victor.

Aren't politicians ex-lawyers, soldiers, policemen, businessmen?

If they themselves can't right the wrongs,

what more a teenager?

Jose said that

he needed to leave to fulfill his duty as a Filipino.

What is this duty of a Filipino?

For you, what truly is the duty of a Filipino?

It's a long discussion...

Why, you going somewhere else?

I have a lot of time.

Everyone has their own set of beliefs...

I don't care about everyone else, Vic.

I'm asking you.

What is my duty as a Filipino?

What do I have to do to be called a Filipino?

Explain to me these beliefs

that have convinced my son to go up the mountains...

Justice, ma'am.

- Justice for... - Now... Now, Vic,

who's gonna fight to give my son justice?

Will you? You, who taught him bravery and nationalism?

Who told him about a war that will destroy all evil regimes?

Where, where are these brave soldiers of justice?

Are they gonna fight to give my son justice?

If need be, I myself will do it, ma'am...

And what can you do?

We're all the same. All we can do is cry and pray.

I know where Gabriel Ventura lives, ma'am.

According to witnesses,

Chief Ventura threatened Jose before he was killed.

I know where he lives.

I went there.

From a street corner, I watch him every day.

And I learned a lot of things.

He doesn't let his wife smoke inside, so every so often

he steps outside.

What do I do with that information?

I also saw a church

near his house.

On his way home from work, he passes by the church

to pray for a while.

Then, he goes inside

a confession booth,

to confess to no one.

It boggles me

why he goes in only when there's no scheduled confession.

Perhaps his sin is so great,

he can't bear to say it to a priest.

Maybe he confesses straight to God.

Perhaps.

He takes the same route.

Every day. The same routine.

So easy to predict.

I'm making coffee. You want?

How much sugar?

None.

Just black.

Chief Ventura likes coffee too.

Beside the church is a cafe.

On his way to work,

he goes there to get coffee.

I used to take mine with sugar and cream,

but I noticed Chief Ventura

takes his black.

He does something strange when he drinks coffee.

He watches

the smoke, as if

praying intently.

Then, when he's ready,

he gulps it down.

Suffers through his throat getting burned.

At first, I didn't understand why he did that.

But now I do.

He wants to endure

the bitterness and heat of the coffee.

Maybe because,

like me,

he wants to chastise himself for his sins.

Does it allay the guilt?

I don't know.

But

it's easier for me

to believe

that those who sin will be punished.

I don't need to know whatever it is you're planning to do, Victor.

Nor do I wish to think

that you're doing it for my son.

You asked me earlier what I think is

the duty of every Filipino.

Here's my answer:

it is every Filipino's duty

to fight for justice,

wherever it takes them.

There's a saying in our province,

which my mother repeats to us siblings as a reminder,

"Anyone who uses violence

deepens the darkness of a starless evening."

What a shame

for our nation to be called "The Chosen Land and Cradle of the Brave"

when there is no one brave enough to fight.

Professor,

in the cradle of the brave,

many are asleep and no one awakens.

Braveness has many forms.

But braveness borrowed from a bullet isn't one of them.

That's why the devils always win,

because they're the ones always bearing arms.

The crimes of this regime are already covered in darkness,

but those who can glimpse the faintest light

still insist on playing blind out of fear.

It's wise to be scared during frightening times.

But why is it the good ones that are afraid?

Shouldn't the evildoers be the ones cowering

and terrified

of the threat of justice?

Justice?

That justice is funny.

Have you seen a depiction of justice?

Justice is a maiden with her eyes closed.

But she bears a sword.

It's dangerous for a person who can't see to be bearing arms, isn't it?

I'll think about that on the road.

Thank you for visiting.

Who was it, Mom?

Nobody.

Pack your things.

"Deepening the Darkness of a Starless Evening"

Father, it looks like I've sinned against you.

Who are you?

Take a guess, Chief Ventura.

My friend,

you know I'm a policeman.

I have too many enemies,

I won't be able to guess it.

If we're many

then it doesn't matter.

You might wanna think this through, my friend.

What do you want, money?

I've thought long about this, Chief.

I've prepared for it.

And I'm not your friend.

You're with them, huh?

No.

I'm a patriot.

Well if you are, then we're on the same team.

I, too, am a patriot.

State-sponsored killing isn't patriotism.

Neither is being a terrorist, like you.

You murder children, Chief.

You're the terrorist.

Then we're the same, eh?

Patriotic terrorists.

What do you need?

Did you kill the kid?

Which one?

I've killed plenty.

I'm not here to play games.

You know who I'm talking about.

Killing him wasn't enough,

you had to skin his face.

Is that patriotism to you?

How'd you know it was me?

I don't know so tell me!

Did you kill Jose Santos?

Whatever I say, you're gonna pull the trigger, right?

Did you kill Jose Santos?

I'm telling you, you can't kill a person with just one shot.

Answer me,

did you kill Jose Santos?

You can fire that gun, right?

'Cause I can, you better believe it.

The Cradle of the Brave