When They Never Came Back

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When They Never Came Back

J. Luna

“The hardest thing for a leader is to send your men to their death. But that, we must do.”

General Robert Lee, one of America’s best general echoed the sentiment of every revolutionary leader in the midst of battle.

Even in the thick of a fight, you must order your best soldiers to do something to turn the tide of battle in favor of your troops. And in that sense your are ordering him to his death.

Ka. Orlan was one of the four brothers from a barrio who joined the fighting unit. For the last three years, one by one, three of his brother died figuring in battles where they performed heroically. He was the last remaining son from his family.

Because he was with the regional security unit, his superior aware that he was the youngest and the last remaining men from his clan and barrio, made arrangements. that he was to be spared from military action. A decision when it was relayed to him he resent but  he faithfully obeyed.

And in one engagement in 1986, when the AFP launched their operations against the people’s army, they figured in one hot engagement. They engaged one company of enemy but because of their knowledge of the terrain they overcame the enemy.

But Ka. Orlan went to his superior and beg that he be engaged in the battle. The leader was unfazed,. But sensing the eagerness of the fighter, he let him go. So eager and full of enthusiasm he went off to battle as a reserve.

And he never came back. The leader regretted his decision but that was fate.

Another comrade, who just came in from a  long mission in a far away place rejoined his unit. He came from terrible battles but instead of resting, when he heard that the unit was to join the main unit for an offensive, he again volunteered.

“ Please me join them before I make this long rest.” Ka Luna begged the commander. And because he has a soft heart he said okay. Again, he never came back.

He was killed while leading the cleaning team in securing all the firearms seized from the enemy, He was killed by a straggler.

How many comrades that he trained for moths, formed their units and send off and how many came back? Never to be seen again. He always remember their faces.

And yet they called him ruthless. Heartless. The architect of SCO. Blamed him for so many casualties during the deviations and yet they never know his heart bleeds for his losses.




Yes, the hardest decision for a military leader is to send your most able men to perform a duty knowing he will never come back from it. But paramount is the success of the mission. Victory is sweet but no body bother asked how much it cost.

Does the end justified the means? I leave that to you to answer. How can you answer when you expect them to be here and yet they never came back.

Only the rifle, the bandoleer and some of the personal things to be given to the immediate family. A letter too sent or a personal words to speak to remains to be said.

It really hard when you know that when you sent them off with a smile, they will never come back.

Only the tears in his eyes and the wounds in his heart can attest to that.

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