All the scouts had returned by Monday morning, and they painted a clear picture for us.
Don Contreras' report was accurate—Florentino was the mastermind behind the plot. As it turned out, he had been planning this since last month. He had coordinated with the leader of the Pulajanes—a man who fancied himself Papa Hilario, in imitation of the Pope in Rome. It was no surprise. Señor Paras had never been known for his piety, so it made perfect sense that he could stomach forming a pact with heretics.
The rebellion had ignited in Buenavista, the poorest of Marinduque's towns. According to the reports, nearly everyone there was either a Pulajan or a sympathizer. Señor Paras and his allies had, in effect, held de facto control of the town for weeks. Unbeknownst to us, the gobernadorcillo and parish priest had long been executed—probably quietly, to avoid drawing attention.
