How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

”Chief Cha, it’s impossible to use kamikaze drones in the jungle.”

Abu Sayyaf’s base was located deep within the impenetrable jungles of Mindanao.

For a kamikaze drone to break through the dense vegetation and reach its target was practically impossible.

Defense Minister Fernando had raised precisely that issue.

I had anticipated this development and prepared Plan B, but I still said,

”Ah, so that’s the problem.”

”Is there any way to crush those Abu Sayyaf bastards without using kamikaze drones?”

’Heh heh heh. Of course there is.’

”In that case, how about deploying fighter jets and bombing their base?”

”Hmm...”

Defense Minister Fernando fell silent and thoughtfully stroked his chin.

I could see right through what he was thinking.

After sketching out a solution in my head to the problem he was about to raise, I quickly checked it for any weaknesses.

After a while, the minister spoke as though he had reached a final conclusion.

”There are two problems with the method you’ve proposed, Chief Cha.”

”Tell me what they are.”

”First, we don’t know the exact coordinates of Abu Sayyaf’s base.”

”The FBI has information on the location of their base.”

Director Nevers stepped in to support me.

I gave him a slight nod of thanks and continued my conversation with Defense Minister Fernando.

”I believe we can consider the first problem solved.”

”Agreed. But there’s a second problem: the risk of an accidental strike.”

At that moment, Director Griffin joined the conversation, clearly indicating that he had something to add.

”Minister Fernando, that problem can be solved by using precision-guided air-to-surface bombs.”

”I’m aware of that, but our country doesn’t possess precision-guided air-to-surface bombs.”

”But our country could deploy its own fighter jets and strike Abu Sayyaf’s base on your behalf.”

”Could you really do that?”

”Ha-ha. Without any problem.”

At that very moment, a simmering irritation rose inside me.

Director Griffin had brazenly sat down at the table I’d set with a fork and knife in hand.

There was now a danger that he would snatch away all the delicacies I’d prepared right from under my nose.

I couldn’t allow that, so I addressed Defense Minister Fernando.

”Minister, we need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to accepting assistance from American forces.”

”Could you tell me why?”

”One of the reasons American forces withdrew from the Philippines in 1992 was that anti-American sentiment among the population had reached its peak. Would you agree with that?”

”I would. Continue.”

”After the withdrawal of U.S. forces, foreign capital invested in the Philippines flowed out like the receding tide. From that point onward, the Philippine economy entered a period of decline. China, as though it had merely been waiting for the Americans to leave, began asserting its claims over the West Philippine Sea. But the weakened Philippines was no longer capable of putting up any meaningful resistance to China’s claims.”

”Ahem!”

Defense Minister Fernando coughed to conceal his discomfort and irritation.

But every word I had said was simply a fact, so I continued without paying the slightest attention to his reaction.

”Recently, the Philippines decided to host American forces again in order to deter China in the West Philippine Sea and revive its economy. However, not every citizen is happy about the presence of American troops.”

”I agree with Chief Cha on that as well.”

”Now imagine that American fighter jets bomb Abu Sayyaf’s base. How would the people of the Philippines react?”

”Our citizens know about Abu Sayyaf’s atrocities, so they’d welcome the news.”

”But would the people of Mindanao feel the same way?”

Defense Minister Fernando looked as though he’d been struck over the head.

The people of Mindanao sought separatism and independence.

For that reason, they secretly supported Abu Sayyaf.

If American fighter jets bombed the base, a surge of anti-American sentiment would be inevitable.

How could he have completely forgotten that fact while blindly counting on American assistance?

”Chief Cha, I was shortsighted.”

”I completely understand your position, Minister, so don’t worry about it.”

President Gonzalez then addressed me.

”Chief Cha, but if we don’t accept American assistance, won’t we be unable to strike Abu Sayyaf’s base?”

I shook my head and answered the president’s question.

”The Philippine Air Force should be the one to strike Abu Sayyaf’s base.”

”But Minister Fernando just said that we don’t have precision-guided air-to-surface bombs.”