Chapter 291: Heh Heh Heh. Of Course There Is

"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."

"Korea has KGGB precision-guided bombs."

"I don't know anything about those."

"KGGB bombs can be mounted on the FA-50PH light combat aircraft operated by the Philippine Air Force."

"That's right! That's an excellent solution!"

President Gonzalez even slapped his knee, apparently considering the idea brilliant.

"Our country is prepared to provide the Philippine Air Force with twenty KGGB bombs free of charge."

"Is that true?"

"Rather than answer, I'll simply remind you that I'm a special envoy appointed by President Cho Seokchin."

"Ha-ha. Understood."

"President Gonzalez, may I take that to mean you've accepted my proposal?"

"Of course!"

As though he had been waiting for that exact moment, NIS Director Om Giyeon quietly rose from his seat, opened the reception room door, and stepped outside.

Watching him leave, President Gonzalez asked me in confusion,

"Chief Cha, why did Director Om leave?"

"At this very moment, a transport aircraft carrying twenty KGGB bombs is standing by at a military base in Korea."

"You mean he went outside to order the transport aircraft to depart for our country?"

"Exactly, Mr. President."

"Forgive my curiosity, but why the rush?"

"We need to bomb Abu Sayyaf's base before the three submarines carrying North Korean missiles arrive near Mindanao. We're pressed for time."

Defense Minister Fernando frowned in confusion.

The flight between Korea and the Philippines took about four hours.

That meant the KGGB bombs provided by Korea would arrive this evening, or tonight at the latest.

The strike on Abu Sayyaf's base was scheduled for Thursday night, meaning there were still two full days left.

And yet, for some reason, Cha Jiham was claiming they were short on time.

The minister decided to ask why.

"To accurately strike Abu Sayyaf's base with KGGB bombs, the pilots will need training beforehand. Taking that into account, two days is a very short amount of time."

"Hmm... Now that you mention it, you're right."

As Defense Minister Fernando nodded, NIS Director Om Giyeon returned.

After sitting down on the sofa, he addressed the minister.

"The transport aircraft carrying twenty KGGB bombs will depart for the Philippines within two hours. Please arrange the necessary preparations on your end, Minister Fernando."

"It will be done. Don't worry."

Director Om Giyeon smoothly faded into the background, handing the initiative back to me.

"FBI agents will provide you with the coordinates of the residences occupied by Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui and Carlos. Under no circumstances should any KGGB bombs strike those residences."

Defense Minister Fernando became completely confused.

Chen Zhihui was one thing, but Carlos was the leader of Abu Sayyaf.

If they wanted to eliminate the organization, Carlos should be the first person they killed.

Yet Cha Jiham was insisting that both men be kept alive.

The minister directly asked why.

"Vice Chairman Wei will personally eliminate Vice Chairman Chen."

"What about Carlos?"

"He controls drug distribution throughout the Philippines. If he's killed in the bombing, we won't be able to completely dismantle his syndicate."

"Ah, I see."

At that moment, NBI Director Santiago asked to speak, wanting to clarify something.

"Chief Cha, if we keep Chen Zhihui and Carlos alive, they're guaranteed to hide in the jungle. How do we deal with that?"

"The FBI agents maintaining close surveillance on Abu Sayyaf's base will continue tracking them."

"Ah, that hadn't occurred to me. But what if a KGGB bomb accidentally lands on their hideout?"

"KGGB is a GPS-guided bomb with an error margin of approximately one meter."

"I don't doubt the KGGB's capabilities. I don't trust the skills of the Philippine pilots."

"How dare you!"

As expected, Defense Minister Fernando immediately flared up.

Nevertheless, Director Santiago, apparently convinced that he was in the right, sharply fired back.

"Minister Fernando, you know perfectly well yourself how many times our pilots have carried out mistaken bombings."

"Ahem!"

Defense Minister Fernando could only let out a heavy sigh, since he had no rebuttal.

After giving him a quick glance, Director Santiago turned toward me.

"Chief Cha, we should take the possibility of an accidental strike into account."

While Defense Minister Fernando and Director Santiago were bickering, I had already come up with a solution.

"How about leaking the information to Carlos immediately before the bombing begins?"

"Hmm... That seems like the best option."

"Then let's finalize the operational plan. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

"All right. Let's hear it."

"Minister Fernando, make sure the pilots are perfectly prepared so there won't be any mistakes. And Director Santiago, leak the information to Carlos immediately before the operation begins."

"It will be done."

The loud, confident replies of Defense Minister Fernando and Director Santiago echoed through the reception room.

Leaving their answers behind, I turned to Director Nevers.

"If we lose Vice Chairman Chen and Carlos, the entire operation will be ruined."

"You don't need to worry about that."

The FBI Director displayed absolute confidence, so there was no point in worrying any further.

"Ha-ha. Understood. One more thing: arrange a safe house for me on Mindanao."

"You mean you're going there personally, Chief Cha?"

"It looks like I'll have to."

"Is that really necessary?"

To be honest, I didn't want to go to the deadly island of Mindanao either.

Even so, I had decided to take the risk because I was worried that the FBI agents might lose track of Chen Zhihui and Carlos.

If that happened, the task of tracking them down would fall to Saho.

And if I stayed here, Saho was guaranteed not to lift a paw.

But telling Director Nevers the real reason would have been awkward—he might take offense—so I gave him another explanation.

"I devised the operation to crush Abu Sayyaf and capture Vice Chairman Chen. I'm going to Mindanao so I can personally oversee the situation in case anything unexpected happens."

"Hmm... Understood."

Director Nevers nodded, accepting my reasoning.

Considering the matter settled, I turned to NIS Director Om Giyeon.

"Before the operation begins, the North Korean submarines will surface near the port of Iligan on Mindanao."

"Most likely."

"If word of the bombing of Abu Sayyaf's base reaches them, the situation will become much more complicated."

"You mean I need to cut off their communications with Vice Chairman Chen?"

NIS Director Om Giyeon's instincts were second to none, as always.

"Exactly, Director Om."

"I'll make sure those North Korean submarines burn through every last drop of their fuel."

"Ha-ha. Excellent."

At that moment, President Gonzalez asked me with undisguised curiosity,

"Am I the only one who didn't understand a thing from your conversation with Director Om?"

"Once submarines submerge, they lose communication with land."

"Ah, now I understand."

"I can already picture the North Korean submarines fleeing from our submarines and the American ones."

"Ha-ha-ha!"

The mere thought of it made President Gonzalez burst into loud, booming laughter.