Felix (Baron Geisler) reassures his unidentified superior about the successful elimination of the so-called “loose ends” to their secret mission, even the ones they specifically ordered to wipe out the files that would expose their illicit activities to Allan (Gerald Anderson).
In the middle of their conversation, a furious Lara walks in demanding to talk. The high-profile man behind the cruel acts that endangered many innocent lives is revealed to be General Carillo (Bodjie Pascua), also known as Lara’s adoptive father.
Hearing Lara’s vexations, Felix fakes leaving the scene only to eavesdrop. On the verge of her emotions pouring out, Lara instantly questions Gen. Carillo concerning the tragic deaths of her Task Force Alpha colleagues and the Muslim civilians at Isla Damai.
After taking his time to respond, Gen. Carillo sharply reminds Lara of how she already knew about the necessity of their deaths and why they must be silenced. In a flashback, after the compromised Zamboanga operation orchestrated by Gen. Carillo, Lara actually confronted him, saying that she thought it was going to be a peaceful arrest.
At the time, Gen. Carillo underscored that he only mentioned an arrest but did not specify how it would be done. Back to the present, he explains to Lara that he isn’t required to inform her of all his plans and proceeds to trivialize the lives of the victims by labeling them as mere casualties.
Another flashback ensues, with the memory of Lara arguing with Felix after he had murdered Oliver (Geoff Eigenmann), Patrick (Antonio Aquitania), and Russel (Dino Imperial) at the hospital. Despite the close friendship he has with them, he only reasons to Lara that Gen. Carillo’s requests are of greater importance.
Continuing with his manipulation of Lara, Gen. Carillo goes on to compare Lara’s past and present self, pointing out her drastic change from being fearless to being emotional, given that she now finds it difficult to accept that there will always be casualties for the greater good.
Gen. Carillo also retells about Lara’s refusal to relive the pain of losing her parents, adding that it was Lara’s fault that Datu Rahman (Jaime Fabregas) escaped. In tears, Lara shakily agrees with her shortcomings.
As their intense conversation ends, Gen. Carillo commands her to focus on her role as he focuses on his.
Will Lara decide to defy Gen. Carillo’s rules? Find out in “Blood vs Duty,” streaming on iWant and airing weeknights at 8pm on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).