Pagbangon ng Katarungan

***"Pagbangon ng Katarungan*" (Rise of Justice)** is the fifth episode of the F/S Channel TV series *Maskarang Agimat.*

## Plot

After the defeat of the hellhounds, Apo Virtus tells Abel about the threat they face.  Years ago, he had fought a powerful demon and sealed it inside a stone statue, the *Anitong Itim.*  The toll of the battle, however, had weakened him, forcing him to put himself under a trance while he recuperates.  Since then, the black idol would eventually be found by Maestro Malakay, a master of the dark arts.  Malakay then founded a cult, the *Kapatiran ng Dilim* (Brotherhood of the Dark), promising its members wealth and power in exchange for worshipping the *Anito*. The cult is actually pulling the strings of crime and corruption in San Barabbas; sowing sin, fear and despair to feed the demon inside the idol until it becomes powerful enough to break free—and it has started to crack.  This was what caused Apo Virtus to awaken from his slumber, but since he had grown too old and weak to continue the fight, it was time for him to choose a worthy successor, which he had found in Abel.  Abel wonders why his injuries from the beating were healed, but his right leg remains crippled.  Apo Virtus’ answer is because absolute power corrupts; he retained Abel’s crippled leg to remind him of his limits, and of his determination to overcome them in order to do the right thing.

Clarissa finally regains consciousness; the last thing she remembers is being saved by a masked man.  Abel does not tell her that he was the man in the mask.  Later, he leads the *Mangungubat* warriors in raiding the opium plantation.  Taking on the faux-ARMAS forces, he discovers that he is also bulletproof.  They succeed in freeing Marilag and the enslaved tribespeople, and round up most of the mercenaries, including their leader Kumander Barbaro.

The next day, Abel, Clarissa and the tribesmen march into San Barabbas with their captives in tow.  The captured mercenaries are put in jail.  Fearing the power Don Nemecio posseses (both literally and figuratively), when they are asked who they are working for, Barbaro claims to be the brains behind their whole operation.  Abel and Jeff somehow doubt that the mercenary is smart enough to be the true mastermind.  The Corderos adopt Rabis’ now-tame dogs as pets—a fact that Rabis himself, who is still at large, is not pleased with.  He vows to break his comrades out of prison, and maybe even get his dogs back.

Don Nemecio is angry that his drug operation has been set back.  He realizes that the crippled Abel Cordero is not to be underestimated, and is also curious about the allegedly super-powered masked man that took down his men. However, since Barbaro has taken the fall for him, he decides to drop any attempt on Clarissa’s life for the time being.  Lt. Pelaez suggests that Baste be spared as well, attesting that the boy is harmless. Don Nemecio suspects that Pelaez must be losing his nerve, but nonetheless acquiesces with the officer’s request, at least until it becomes evident that the youngster poses a threat to them.  The Don is then informed of someone’s arrival.  A sleek luxury SUV pulls over at Del Rey Manor.  A beautiful young woman steps out—Don Nemecio’s daughter, Veronica.