Smaller and Smaller Circles

In the summer of 1997, the lifeless body of a teenage boy was found at the Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City. This grim discovery highlighted the alarming rise of violence in the city, prompting a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Jesuit priest and forensic investigator, Father Augusto 'Gus' Saenz, was summoned by Deputy Director Francisco Lastimosa to address a murder spree that had devastated the community. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Gus accepted the challenge to uncover the truth behind the murders.

As Gus and his colleague Father Jerome Lucero embarked on their investigation, they identified a disturbing pattern: the murders were occurring on Saturdays, and the victims displayed signs of horrific mutilation. These findings indicated a skilled hand was behind the gruesome acts, further complicating the case.

During a gripping television talk show, tensions reached a boiling point as Cardinal Rafael Meneses and Deputy Director Lastimosa faced probing questions about the investigation. The situation escalated dramatically when Lastimosa suddenly collapsed on air, resulting in his hospitalization and creating uncertainty in the investigation.

Amidst their quest for justice, Gus and Jerome began to harbor doubts regarding the arrest of Carding, a local parish worker deemed the primary suspect. Their instincts led them to investigate further, seeking insights from those close to Carding to reveal the truth.

The priests' investigation took them to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, coinciding with an opera performance. A heated exchange between Gus and Cardinal Meneses surfaced issues of accountability in the church, and whispers of Monsignor Ramirez's questionable reputation further intrigued them.

While visiting a bar, Gus and Jerome fortuitously met Joanna, who provided critical information about Hon. Mariano, a councilor linked to a mobile health clinic. Her revelations hinted at possible connections to the ongoing murder investigation, increasing the urgency of their search.

In a time of mounting pressure, Deputy Director Lastimosa expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation to Deputy Director Mapa and Atty. Arcinas. Meanwhile, Gus and Jerome took aim at Hon. Mariano's mobile health clinic, seeking vital clues to advance their inquiry.

As the investigation unfolded, Gus and Jerome encountered Dr. Alejandro 'Alex' Carlos, whose unpredictable behavior posed a significant concern. Their confrontation escalated when Alex stole medical supplies during an interview, highlighting his inner turmoil and unstable state.

Alex's destructive behavior culminated when he attempted to harm a student, leading to violent retaliation from bystanders. Wracked with guilt, he committed an irreversible act of harm, showing the tragic impact of his mental struggles.

Gus and his team relentlessly searched for Alex, ultimately tracking him to a nearby building. There, they found him in a heartbreaking state, having inflicted severe injuries upon himself, illustrating the depths of his despair and turmoil.

After cornering Alex and offering a compassionate gesture, Gus found himself attacked with a knife as Alex fled the scene. The ensuing chaos underscored the fragile nature of their pursuit for justice and the tragic turn of events that had transpired.

Following the confrontation, Alex's tragic story reached a grim conclusion at Payatas, where his life came to an end. The toll of inner conflict and unresolved trauma was starkly evident in the scars left on his body, mirroring a life marred by violence.

As Gus began the healing process from his physical and emotional wounds, he was visited by Guillermo 'Emong' Ricafrente. Emong revealed haunting memories from their past, including traumatic experiences linked to their PE teacher, adding layers of complexity to Gus's understanding of their shared history.

In a separate yet critical thread of the investigation, Deputy Director Lastimosa confronted Mrs. Urrutia about the misappropriation of funds by Msgr. Ramirez. This clash signaled deeper issues within the community and the church that needed to be addressed amid the ongoing case.