Alexander Kremenchug an offer he would not refuse, Sharon believing that if her assessment of the man’s character were correct, neither she nor the General would ever have to be concerned with a shortage of money, ever again.
****
General Narciso Dominguez lay stretched out on top of the quilted cover, his eyelids closed and still, sleep would not come, his head filled with concern about Sharon’s execution of their plan.
His mind roamed – recalling the beginning of the end to the Marcos era. The incident, which would later become known as the First Quarter Storm began on January 26, 1970 when a crowd of some twenty thousand threw rocks and bottles at President Marcos and his wife, Imelda. Although the police successfully scattered the angry demonstrators, four days later, thousands chanting revolutionary slogans smashed their way through the Malacanang Palace gates using a commandeered fire truck. The police killed six of the demonstrators, resulting in an even larger mob attacking the American Embassy with Molotov cocktails. Throughout the next decade, Marcos’ position deteriorated, and with changing loyalties, so too did many amongst the officer corps. The President’s family ignored growing resentment – their frequent and bitter marital disputes clearly marked for public display, when Marcos built bridges and other infrastructure to support his wife’s family-related projects, as a token of his retribution for his many extra-marital affairs.
In the 1970s and 80s there had been a gradual build-up for the Philippine Army in terms of manpower, organization and equipment. The Army’s strength grew from twenty thousand to nigh on sixty thousand over those years, primarily to combat anti-dissident campaigns, and maintain Marcos’ rule as president. There had been communist rebellions in both Luzon and the Visayas and, in Mindanao, highly trained and well-armed Bangsa Moro Army soldiers fought for their secessionist movement, successfully challenging Marcos’ troops. Faced with these challenges the President increased defence spending which, in turn, further filled his coffers with gold and US dollars, much of which was used to secure the loyalty of his Army officers; amongst these, General Narciso Dominguez, whose own wealth had multiplied due to his position as Defence Contracts Coordinator, the collections he made, split equally with his erstwhile President.
Competition was growing among Marcos’ officers and envy-driven politicians for a greater share of the spoils. As he was prominent amongst those who had greatest opportunity to siphon off millions during Marcos’ time, the General decided to move the fourteen tons of gold he held in trust, to a less conspicuous location. At that time, the USAF worked closely with the Philippines Air Force, and the General was aware that a number of their transports were permanently assigned to the PAF. He summoned his younger brother, a senior PAF officer and arranged for a Hercules C130 to transport the hoard to Hong Kong, his brother taking all the family for a timely shopping spree. When they died tragically in the aircraft disaster, two hundred million dollars’ worth of gold bars were lost somewhere over the South China Sea, forever. General Dominguez was left with less than five million dollars to see him through to the end of his days and, although a frugal person, this sum had diminished by half, with time.
Years of corruption and fraud in the 1986 elections provoked a popular uprising that sent Ferdinand and Imelda hastily fleeing into exile in Hawaii. But not before their billions in gold, silver and crates of hard currency had already been shipped to Switzerland and the United States. When it appeared that the military would continue to maintain power even under Cory Aquino, the General became concerned for his own welfare.
Dominguez had been loyal to Ferdinand Marcos, even up to his last days and, although saddened by Marcos’ death in 1989, when the former dictator’s body was returned to the Philippines, he elected not to attend the funeral, not wishing to attract undue attention to himself.
During Marcos’ reign, the General had never wanted for anything, the end to Ferdinand’s rule having a most disastrous effect on the Dominguez household finances, and the General’s health. A mild heart attack had convinced him to disclose to Sharon how he had survived over the years under Marcos, deciding also to place the remaining gold under his niece’s guardianship. He recalled taking her down into the damp cellars, watching as Alfredo opened the steel-covered trap. Sharon had inhaled sharply as the overhead light struck the loosely strewn, half-kilo yellow bars in the ground vault, and squealed with delight. A loving smile crossed his lips as he also remembered Sharon reaching down to retrieve one of the metal bricks, surprise on her face at how heavy such a small amount of gold could be. He’d watched, as Sharon counted the hoard, the tally reaching six hundred and thirty seven bars. The secret cache was worth four million dollars, the war chest his niece would require to rebuild their fortunes.
****
Bandung – West Java
‘Boleh juga!’ Angela agreed that the guest speaker was, indeed, handsome; one of their fellow students sitting behind playfully hushed the pair. Jonathan Dau’s daughter then pinched the soft flesh of her girlfriend’s upper arm in friendly gesture, turning her attention back to the American’s closing statement.
‘…and, it is therefore obvious that mining ventures do, in fact, benefit local communities providing sound environmental considerations are strictly adhered to. The grave consequences of irresponsible mining procedures will have lasting effects on not only current generations, but also those still to come. Today, you are students. In the future, many decisions relating to good-mining practices will fall on your shoulders and I ask you to remember the talk I have given today when you make those decisions, and consider how your future determinations will impact on society. Thank you.’
The hall exploded into applause as Stewart Campbell completed his presentation titled ‘Mining and The Environment’, the students rising to their feet in respect, as their professor moved across the dais to thank the visiting geologist for his address. ‘Cakap amat!’ Siti Rahajo thought that the American was up there with her favorite film stars, leaning forward and whispering loudly for all to hear. Angela pretended not to hear, nudging her girlfriend, Nani, and pulling a face. Siti was unpopular with the other girls because of her promiscuousness – and popularity with the boys. This class was now more than halfway through the four-year course and Siti had already slept with most of the male students during their first semester.
All of the female students were in their early to mid-twenties, an age at which most Indonesian girls would expect to be already married, with families.
‘Why don’t you ask him for a date?’ Nani challenged, sending a titter through the group.
‘Why not?’ the well-endowed Siti responded, standing straight for the boys to see her firm breasts – another reason she was unpopular with the others. Even if Siti had not been loose the young men would still have chased after her, her classical Javanese features and voluptuous figure enough to guarantee envy amongst her classmates.
‘Students,’ their professor called for their attention, the assembly falling silent as the Dean cleared his throat. ‘We have been privileged to have Tuan Campbell talk to us today. He has kindly agreed to return and speak to those of you who are still here for the final semester.’ This was greeted with nervous giggles and coughs from the students. ‘However, our guest has kindly consented to remain a little longer today, to answer any questions you might have. So, please remain seated, and Tuan Campbell will invite you to direct your questions to him.’ The professor stepped back, gesturing with one hand that the floor still belonged to the visiting geologist.
‘Terima kasih,’ Campbell thanked the Dean. Then, addressing the audience, ‘Please raise your hand if you wish to ask a question.’ The seconds ticked away as embarrassed university students searched inwardly for courage to do so, most concerned that they may appear foolish, the remainder unable to think of anything
