SHOWDOWN IN MAKATI

RUFFBO DOG COMMANDO SEAL TEAM SIX

By Scary Barry Rodriguez          February 25, 2013

New World Makati Hotel

It was May in Makati , Manila Metro , Philippines . The weather was hot and muggy. Ruffbo and Frank his Team Six human partner were sharing a room in the New World Makati hotel in downtown Makati. Just twelve hours before they had driven a rental car down  the Skyway  an elevated highway into town. Ruffbo and his platoon had been training with a Philippine Special forces  Airborne A-team out of Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City.

Scarborough Shoal

Ninoy Aquino

Recently the political tensions had been high in the Philippines due to a territorial dispute with China over an area known as Scarborough shoal. The United States was ratcheting up its military cooperation with the Philippines in response to China's over aggressive tactics in Pacific sea lanes. Team Six had also trained with the 1st regiment Scout Rangers another elite unit. Now Ruffbo and shipmates were in Makati for another assignment . Makati has been the scene of many important political incidents such as " Oakwood Mutiny " called such because elements of the Scout Rangers loyal to Brigadier General Danilo Lim had taken over the Oakwood hotel and the PBCom Tower. Before this the Makati financial center had been the main location of protests in the aftermath of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in 1983.

Corner Tree Cafe

Ayala Triangle Gardens

Ruffbo and Frank had put in some serious sack time and now at 11:00 am they had food on their minds , not past or present political incidents. After throwing on some casual civilian attire they took the elevator down to the ground floor lobby. Outside on Makati avenue they flagged down a jitney and rode over to the Corner Tree Cafe on nearby Jupiter street . The location of their hotel was very convenient . Everything was close by , restaurants, parks , shopping malls and entertainment. At 1400 hrs ( 2:00 pm civilian time ) they were scheduled to meet with Team leader Ringo at the Ayala Triangle Gardens for a short informal briefing while posing as tourists.

Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City

Skyway

Ruffbo was complaining about the humid weather between bites of food. " Two minutes outside and I already had to dry off ! " Frank was not impressed. " Hey you ' re not the Lone Ranger bud ! I feel like I took a shower in a sauna ! " Good thing the cafe had air conditioning ! Even though they both had operated in Asia many times they still bitched about the climate. Lunch didn't last long and Ruffbo and Frank did some window shopping on the slow walk over to the nearby Ayala Triangle Gardens. Ruffbo according to his training, practiced good trade craft by using store front windows to check for surveillance by the bad guys. The window reflections didn't show anyone was following them.

Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade

Ringo waiting in the gardens, watched them approach. He was sweating profusely despite being in a shaded area. Ruffbo just nodded his head and pissed on a short tree nearby Ringo. It wasn't disrespect just a dog thing ! Frank just smirked. Ringo gave them a short heads up . " guys somethings up ! A local intelligence source has advised our group that a radical leftist cadre known as the " Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade " intends some type of action against the Chinese consulate which will be set up to look like the U.S is behind it. Later I will give you a detailed briefing in your hotel room. See you later . "

Senator
 Gil J. Puyat

Greenbelt Center

At that moment Ruffbo and Frank both lost whatever holiday spirit they had. The situation seemed complicated. The Chinese consulate was located in the World Center on nearby Senator Gil J. Puyat avenue. Some of the most inviting potential terrorist's targets were also located nearby. The PBCom Tower, the Gramercy Residences and G.T. International Tower , plus some upscale malls , such as the Greenbelt Center, Glorietta and others were located within walking distance. Staying covert in the local environment posed a big problem for Team Six. Their counterparts in the Philippine elite units had to be put in the loop . But who could be trusted ? The 1st regiment Scout Rangers had been involved in the " Oakwood Mutiny " ! Who could know for certain if elements of the Philippine Special forces had been penetrated by spies loyal to the Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade ?

Bald Eagle consul Rounseville Wildman

Hector " The Scar " Cruz had spent many years fighting with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front before breaking off to form the " Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade". That time had been well spent learning all the needed terrorist tactics. At heart , first and foremost Hector was a nationalist . From the very birth of a independent Philippines in 1898 the United States had betrayed all of them ! Everyone from the U.S. consuls E. Spencer Pratt, Rounceville Wildman and Admiral Dewy had lied to Emilio Aguinaldo , the first President of the Philippines. They expected to be free but the United States fought a war against them to subject their country to a Military Governor's rule ! Now it was payback time. His group would strike out against America by attacking the Chinese consulate and downtown Makati. Intelligence agents of the Philippine government secretly loyal to his cause would help make it appear as if the CIA was behind the attacks ! Both America and China would suffer !

China Embassy

Admiral George Dewey

Already the Chinese intelligence agents in Makati were on high alert in response to rumors spread by locals loyal to unknown paymasters. U.S intelligence agents and the Chinese PLA intelligence operatives were playing a dangerous cat and mouse game. The Chinese government suspected the United States of assisting the Philippine Army in covert attacks on maritime assets near the Scarborough shoals area. Many of the political hawks in the U.S. Military industrial complex were advocating a more aggressive military posture towards China. It seemed just a matter of time before hostilities would break out in the Pacific sea lanes !

United States Embassy

The ISA ( The Intelligence Support Agency ) now code named " Stealth Shadow " had technically intercepted communications between Chinese intelligence human assets that had made vague references to " Operation Blue Wind " a top secret joint training operation conducted with the Philippine Army Special forces and Seal Team Six. CIA analysts thought China was overly concerned for some unknown reason !

Philippine Army Airborne

AWAC

At the New World Makati hotel the Team Six " Boss " Zeke and Team Leader Ringo were briefing Ruffbo , Frank and a CIA para military operator known only as " Gringo ". Other members of Team Six had been covertly deployed in the downtown Makati area. Selected members of the command element of the Philippine Army Airborne regiment had been briefed . The Philippine " Light Reaction Battalion " had been put on alert for a non existent training exercise. A stealth version of a Air Force AWACS plane was positioned above the City providing over watch. The AWACS thermal cameras could provide clear images during night conditions. It monitors all communications and is the most sophisticated radar platform in the world.

Portable Laser Designator

MP5-D Suppressed small machine gun

Time sensitive intelligence had just been received. The result of the interrogation of some captured Moro Islamic Liberation Front commandos by the Philippine Army Airborne regiment. One of prisoners identified a former commando AKA " The Scar " as the leader of a new terrorist group , which included some turncoat members of the 1st regiment Scout Rangers. The Scar was known to have hijacked a Philippine Army truck carrying advanced U.S. military equipment such as portable laser designators , MP5 -D suppressed small machine guns , a Raven B hand launched  small low altitude reconnaissance drone and stun grenades available only to U.S tier one Special forces units.

Raven B Drone

Stun Grenade

Team Six needed to locate the Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade operatives and their support elements asap ! The terrorists had to be covertly eliminated before the Chinese could react to false intelligence and start a premature conflict between themselves and the United States. It couldn't be assumed that the overly strident Chinese government would trust any approach by the CIA to warn them of an impending attack. Ruffbo and Frank suited up in baggy civilian attire. Ruffbo put on his small earpiece , a small head camera , his lightweight body armor and paw guns. Frank hid a suppressed HK MP7A1 small machine gun in a special holster under his long safari type shirt. The pockets in his tropical weight cargo pants contained extra clips of high velocity ammo capable of piercing body armor. Both Frank and Ruffbo had night vision goggles . Gringo the CIA para military operator had special audio gear designed to incapacitate the enemy by use of sound. This equipment was highly classified and known to only a few in the U.S. government. A small gym bag was used to conceal this equipment. Contingent upon the latest intel the combined counter attack would start just before dawn.

Night Vision Googles

HK MP7A1

Ruffbo wasn't certain he would survive the impending operation. His emotions drifted to thoughts of his girlfriend Rhianna , a sexy black female Scottish terrier. They hadn't had enough quality time together for everything to end so soon ! Not even a whole case of Fighto beer could wash away his doubts at a moment like this. He was on edge and his bud Frank knew it ! " Ruff ! Chill out ! We'll take care of business and then hit the beach ! " But Ruffbo wasn't buying Frank's bravado. The pucker factor of this op was tremendous ! Like the true dog warrior he was , Ruffbo , recalled the words of his Dog Kung Fu master " action eliminates the coward of thought " ! It was time to man up ! Ruffbo was now in a Zen combat state ! Frank recognized the change in Ruffbo's body language and smiled. Gringo silently checked all his special equipment. Now they just needed to solve a couple pieces of the puzzle. Frank's secure satcom cell phone buzzed. The operation was given the green light . The terrorist's safe houses had been located !

Satcom Cell Phone

In one of four safe houses Hector Cruz conferred with his second in command a serb mercenary named Akan Chek . Akan was a shadowy figure not on the radar of any foreign Intelligence service. He had been trained by Russia's KGB and was thought to have perished fighting in Bosnia. He spoke perfect American english and looked the CIA agent part. This was Hector's secret weapon ! Covert elements of the Scout Rangers had been duped by corrupted Intelligence agents and selected turncoat officers into thinking they were on a  American backed operation. A French contract mercenary , ex 2nd Rep Foreign Legionaire who had done jobs for the Americans added to the cover of what was really a Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade operation. Thirty people broken into three ten man sections would attack preset locations in downtown Makati's business district , while a five man section would drive a truck bomb right into the Chinese consulate , throw some grenades , retreat and then command detonate the truck which contained a ton of military C-4 explosives and a special detonator purchased from a CIA subcontractor. The three ten man sections would use tactics identical to that which are taught by American Green Beret trainers to foreign military allies as part of FID missions . ( Foreign Internal Defense ) To further the ruse , sterilized machine guns would be used. A obvious mark of a CIA sponsored operation. All this was planned for late morning.

Reaper Drone

Mercedes Truck

All four of the terrorist's safe houses were located within the financial district. Some them were in highrise residence towers. Ruffbo and his Team Six operators and briefed members of the Philippine Army Special forces Airborne went over the reconnaissance photos taken by a Reaper drone. The United States and Philippine command had authorized the joint operation. Plain clothes operatives had all the targeted locations under covert surveillance. There was not much overt activity taking place in any of the safe houses. A white Mercedes truck was parked nearby one of the houses located near the Ayala center.

Rocket Propelled Grenade

Hand Grenades

In the safe house located near the Ayala center, Hector Cruz was using all his self control to contain his excitement. The Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade would show the world what true justice was ! The white truck was a already packed with its deadly cargo. The crew was thoroughly briefed. The Serb mercenary Akan was in charge of two ten man sections and in radio contact with Cruz. These sections would randomly attack the financial district with shoulder fired RPG weapons , hand grenades and machine gun fire. This tactic had worked well in Mumbai , India and would cause carnage during the Makati rush hour ! One ten man section was dedicated to attacking all nearby Chinese owned businesses.

SUV

Ford Van

At 5:00 am Hector received urgent call from one of his informant's in the Philippine military. The source advised him that a joint American-Philippine police action was eminent. There was no time to waste ! The ten man section charged with attacking Chinese business targets was given the green light early. The French contract mercenary was in charge of this section. From another safe house they started to load up into two SUV's. Hector and his five man group loaded up their equipment into the white Mercedes truck and an old Ford van. The operation had to go fourth at all costs !

Head Camera

Part of Ringo's Team Six operators and their Philippine Army counterparts started an assault on one of the safe houses located in a highrise residence tower. They were carrying suppressed HK MP7A1 machine guns , night vision equipment and wearing body armor. The main power in the building was shut off. The operators burst into the three bedroom residence. Most of the tangos ( terrorists ) were geared up ready to leave. The operators got drop on them and dispatched the ten man section charged with attacking the Chinese owned businesses. It was obvious that they had been tipped off but hadn't had the time to clear out. One of the Team Six operators picked up a tango radio and listened in on the net. Ruffbo's group of operators were advised of the new situation. Boss man Zeke advised all units to immediately close off the perimeters of the remaining safe houses.




Hector and his five man group exited the safe house just as the power was shut down , signalling the start of an assault. They immediately came under suppressed weapons fire. But the terrorist laid down cover fire and Hector detonated a smoke screen bomb. The old Ford van was knocked out of action by grenade and its three occupants instantly killed. With its lights out the white Mercedes truck smashed out of the perimeter. Hector Cruz hijacked a jitney and fled. With him was the command detonator for the truck ! It was now obvious to Team Six that some one had tipped off the tangos about the raid. The radio net reported on a full blown fire fight with the two ten man sections under the command of the Serb Akan.

"Hey Frank!  Whats that jitney doing?.."

From radio and telephone intercepts Ruffbo knew that the Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade intended to bomb the Chinese consulate. Ruffbo, Frank , Boss man Zeke and other operators took off in a Philippine Army helicopter equipped with night vision capability. They had to intercept the truck bomb. Minutes later they spotted it speeding towards                Senator Gil J. Puyat avenue where the Chinese consulate was located. Some distance behind on the same road was a lone jitney carrying Hector Cruz . But the jitney just seemed to be in traffic. Something wasn't right and Ruffbo could smell it. " Hey Frank ! Whats that jitney doing ? Its closing on the truck ! " At that instant everyone in the helicopter focused their attention on the jitney that was speeding all over the road. Zeke gave the order to the pilot to get ahead of the white truck.

The two tangos in the white truck were hell bent on the destruction of the Chinese consulate. They were true believers in their cause and ready to sacrifice themselves. Hector had duct taped the detonator to his right arm. He was sure he would go down as a patriotic martyr ! A blow against the American and Chinese imperialists would be struck ! They were only five minutes away !


The helicopter hovered above the roadway a quarter mile ahead of the white Mercedes truck. Ruffbo, Frank, Gringo and two other operators fast roped down to the blacktop . Gringo took his special audio unit out of his gym bag. It resembled a television shotgun mike. Ruffbo and Frank ran up the road and put themselves in an ambush position behind some nearby cover. The other operators ran a spike strip across the road 200 hundred yards from the consulate. 



Minutes later the white truck with its headlights out came into view. Gringo stepped out in the middle of the road and pointed his audio unit directly at the truck which was hurdling towards them ! There was a pin point flash and then the wind shield of the truck had large spider web like cracks. The two tangos in the truck were rendered unconscious and the truck ran off the road , crashing into a concrete barrier.

Hector felt the slugs of Frank's MP7A1 rip across his torso. He was thrown out of the jitney. In a blur Ruffbo sprung on him , clamping his powerful teeth on Hector's right arm. This action separated the tango's hand and wrist from his arm. Hector gazed down on the bloody stump of his arm and knew that all was lost ! Ruffbo finished him off with a double tap burst of his paw guns. Hector Cruz's vision of wreaking havoc died in a pool of blood on the road ! Ruffbo lifted his leg and pissed on the tango's corpse ! Another one bit the dust he thought ! Zeke's voice on the radio reminded them that there was still work to be done. The Philippine Army had a clean up crew on site. The operators loaded up into the helicopter and headed out. Frank couldn't resist joking with Ruffbo . " Hey Ruff I guess that Mcdonald's quarter pounder you ate two hours ago was not enough for you ! Probally get food poisoning from chewing on the tango's arm ! "  " I never bite off more then I can chew ! Replied Ruffbo ".

Honda Civic

Akan , the Serb that was second in command escaped the dragnet and was headed out of town on the Skyway elevated highway in tan Honda civic. Driving was Major Verdad Luzon a double agent working for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He had tipped off the Emilio Aguinaldo Brigade. As an aide to a well connected General in the Philippine Army , there was little that didn't come to his attention. Akan was following an emergency escape plan. He intended to Kill Major Verdad and approach Chinese Intelligence for his next job !

Ahead of the conspirators the Army had set up a road block on the Skyway. Akan started to panic as the Honda civic abruptly slowed down when the road block came into view. Major Verdad wasn't worried he had an alibi ! The foreigner had kidnapped him , forcing him to aid in the escape ! Surely his General would vouch for him. He couldn't have known that one of the captured terrorist spilled the beans after being water boarded ! There had been no Writ of Habeas Corpus for him ! 



The Army helicopter hovered above the Honda civic which was now at a complete stop. A Team Six sniper blew Akan's head apart with one well placed shot ! Major Verdad was confident as he stepped out of the Honda. " I am extremely grateful for the rescue. My General will be pleased ", he said with a smile. To his dismay , two Philippine airborne soldiers put him in a prone position on the roadway. The safeties on their M4 machine guns were off ! Nobody was buying his act ! Boss man Zeke conferred with the commander of the  soldiers as the Team waited.

Mercenary ala Carte n 2 Jewels

Ruffbo and Frank helped mop up the remnants of the tangos. Good thing the crew had switched over from the HK MP5s to the HK MP7A1s because the tangos had been wearing body armor that defeated the MP5 slugs ! Ruffbo sustained a slight cut on his arm when he took down the French mercenary. The man just wouldn't quit ! It was hand to paw close quarter combat. The ex Legionnaire was handy with a knife but in the end Ruffbo's Dog Kung Ful skills were too much for him. The Philippine Special forces operators had worked well with the Team Six crew. Everyone was debriefed by the Boss man Zeke. The local newspaper headlines attributed the action to a joint Philippine-American raid on a major drug cartel !


Ruffbo and Frank relaxed in their hotel room after it was over. Frank played his acoustic guitar as Ruffbo put away a six pack of Fighto beer. His thoughts returned to his squeeze Rhianna ! She was always on his mind now. Frank picked up the vibe and suggested that they go to the Corner Tree Cafe for a steak and some laughs. Ruffbo appreciated his team mate's concern and snapped out of his blue mood. The American public would never even know that Team Six had been involved and it was better that way.

Naturally the Chinese government suspected that the  drug cartel story was not exactly kosher but there was little they could do . None of their Consular officers or citizens had been harmed. The security of the Consulate hadn't been compromised. One of their Consular staff driving to work early had noticed that a white truck had been involved in an accident. Police and emergency vehicles were on site and appeared that a jitney was also involved. This was not unusual. Jitney drivers took no prisoners on the road and it was commonplace for them to be involved in accidents. Rush hour came and went without incident. 

A day later Team Six was heading home in a C-17 Globemaster III , miles above in the clouds. Everyone was sacked out in the hold of the plane. Ruffbo had his earphones on listening to music. Frank was in dream land sleep mode and yesterday was far behind them all. From this lofty altitude the world appeared to be at peace. Looks can be deceiving ! The operators of Team Six were called in to sort things out occasionally. On to the next operation !



Note : This article is dedicated to all the Special Forces operators in harms way. May former Seal sniper Chris Kyle rest in peace. Condolences go out to his family. Peace and Love from Scary Barry.

barryrodriguez (c) 2013. all rights reserved.