The Mindanao Examiner, Friday, 11 February 1944
The latest of the Barangay class destroyers, Lambuano and Leganes, were launched today in the Butuan shipyards. They were immediately towed to the shipyard's fitting out wharf where they will continue construction; it is expected that they will complete sometime this autumn.
The Davao Herald, Saturday, 12 February 1944
The minesweeper escorts Camarines and Romblon were completed today at Butuan, and were formally commissioned. Following a three-month period of trials and working up they will join their sisters patrolling the southern seas to put down the banditry that infests them.
Jesselton, North Borneo, Monday, 14 February 1944
It was time.
The order had arrived from Manila to take down their target, and the three Action Service operatives took up their stations that morning with a sense of relief. In their hide across the street Sacapaño and Navarrete waited, rifles in hand, for the arrival of their quarry; Lozada, lounging at street level, hid his Beretta automatic beneath a newspaper. There was little street traffic at that hour of the morning, which suited them all.
*****
Accompanied by his two bodyguards Li Po arrived, ready to take up his day's work. There was disturbing news from the Philippines, where anti-Chinese sentiment was growing, to the detriment of the Shih-Hai's business. He had also to prepare for a visit from his superior, who wished to audit Li Po's accounts; this was normal but the timing was most unfortunate. Li Po's thoughts were elsewhere, and he did not notice the man several yards ahead of him rise.
*****
Sacapaño and Navarrete took careful aim; Navarrete had the honor of taking down the triad chieftain; Sacapaño would take down the leading bodyguard. The little parade slowed as it neared the door of the social club, and fingers squeezed gently to fire near simultaneous shots.
*****
Lozada stood, and brought his Beretta up to waist level. Before he could pull the trigger he saw Li Po's head seemingly explode, a bullet entering neatly on the left side but blowing brains out the right side as it exited; one of the bodyguards jerked as a bullet struck him at the base of his neck and passed through his body and slumped to the ground. The second bodyguard, startled by what had happened, froze long enough for Lozada to fire a burst that ripped across the bodyguard's torso, crumpling him.
Taking the several steps necessary to reach them, Lozada emptied the magazine of his Beretta carbine into the bleeding remains of Li Po, assuring the bandit's death. He then dropped his weapon, now unnecessary, and took out his wallet. In imitation of ancient Chinese custom he dropped a wad of money on the bodies, to pay the funeral costs. It would, he hoped, suggest gunmen from a rival triad were responsible. He then quickly fled the scene, to rendezvous with his comrades and prepare for their hasty departure before the local constabulary looked into the matter.