The Run-in with the law!
An effective method of catching birds is the use of "lit-ag" (bird trap). While there are hundreds of its construct, what we were using was almost-identical to the one pictured above.
A block from where we live was a rice mill, and its back is where the rice husk (tahop) are deposited.
A favourite hub for birds because, with the rice husk were also fine broken rice. Watching the flock of "tokmo" and "maya", gives us the irresistible urge to catch them - for food.
On our way to the river for our daily swim, we drop by the rice mill to set the traps. Some hours later, on our way back, we always bag a number of them.
And this emboldened us.
Then, not only birds, it's chicken this time - an upgrade!
And that emboldened us even more.
And then one day, on our way back from our daily swim, we noticed the traps we set were all gone.
They were already taken by Tiya Corning (Redilla-Gonzaga), who lives next door from the rice mill. We learned later that a chicken was still hanging on its neck when she discovered our trap-field.
Tiya must have noticed the steady decline of her poultry stock, plus that gruesome scene she witnessed that day, that she decided to take action.
The news spread like bush fire!
Prison crossed our mind!
Early morning the following day, a policeman (and if I remember it correctly, it was Pat. Epie Tacogdoy), was on our street reading the names of the "perpetrators".
A name, then another, and another - no mention of mine, as I was listening closely from the comfort of our "pinsa".
Ahh, salamat sa Guinoo, I'm not on the List.
But, just as I thought I was off the hook, he looked at the List again, another name was read that had me sweating cold.
We: (as far as I remember)
Brigido (Boy Borogo) Agcol;
Ruby (Amay) Erigbuagas;
Rizalito (Boy Boradad) Maisog;
Joel (Yoyoy) Avelino;
Roberto (Bobit) Avelino;
Noe (Dodong-Noe) Gonzaga;
Sabas (Abay) Jerusalem;
Feliculo (Eng-eng) Mutia;
Procolo (Longcoy) Mutia;
were summoned to the Police HQ the next morning.
We were seated on a long bench right across the Chief of Police, and on our right-hand side was Tiya Corning, fuming!
The Chief, Tiyo Delfin Mutia, a tall, huge, well-built man, was a Major in the USAFFE, known for his tough reputation, his presence so intimidating.
Besides, the physical evidence of our case was on plain sight, a "lit-ag", and thank goodness, minus the dangling chicken!, was on display on the top of his table.
While Tiya Corning and Chief were taking turn giving us sermon, we were all quiet, petrified!
Tatay Cadong (Noe's father) who was connected to the municipal government was pacing back and forth right outside the office while the "investigation" was going on. We heard him said, "o, kay nakasala man, prisohon gyud" (well, if they committed the sin, they should be in prison) .
Noe was weeping.
Then, the end of eternity finally came!
The verdict!
We won't go to prison, but we must ask Tiya's forgiveness and make a solemn promise not to do such a thing ever again.
Across from where Tiya was seated, each of us, on our knees, palms in prayer-position, approached Tiya for her forgiveness and made the Promise.
Wheeew!!! That was close!
To celebrate our innocence, coming out of the building, we took our clothes off and race to "rip-rap", (by Mama Peciang's place - where a huge starapple tree was), for the swim-of-our-life!
F R E E E D O O O M !!!
Fast forward to our adulthood, with some wisdom, we now understood why:
Nong Emilio Mutia, the corp commander, his adjutants, Jose (Boy) Medado and Lando Avelino, all adults at the "commission of the crime", were NOT on that infamous List.