Green Bones (2024)

[bunniefuu]

I've long heard about the stories.

There's a reason

why they call him Crazy Dom.

After k*lling his sister and his niece,

he was found on a bridge,

deranged.

He dumped the child's body there.

The little girl was Deaf,

and some say Dom was too.

In those final moments,

he left a threat

to those who captured him.

"I'll get back at you.

Zamora was never charged

for the disappearance

of his niece, Ruth Anne Pineda.

Her body was never recovered

from the river

The Bureau of Reforms is now decongesting

correctional facilities.

Notorious convict,

Domingo Zamora is among those

Domingo Zamora will be sent

to San Fabian Prison and Penal Farm,

the largest prison island

outside Metro Manila.

Only two kinds of people

live in the world.

The good ones, and the bad.

I learned this early.

When my sister died

at the hands of a criminal.

I promised myself that one day,

I will stand guard between evil-doers

and those they would harm.

That day,

I fulfilled my promise.

I made it to San Fabian.

All right.

Good morning, sir.

I'm CO Xavier Gonzaga, ma'am.

CO Reyes. Just call me Mi.

Let's go.

Come on.

Are they all prisoners?

Yellow for medium security.

But most are green, minimum.

Many are waiting to be released.

This was less than a prison.

What I saw was a taste of freedom.

That's nothing.

Come on, man!

Want to fight now?

-You think highly of yourself!

-So, what?

Stop it!

You can't beat me!

Least of all,

I did not expect to see him

in minimum security.

Crazy Dom.

Even inside, he used a different language.

Prof!

Gonzaga!

Finally!

Now what did I tell you?

I'll make it eventually, Prof.

I'm not exactly "Prof" in here.

Superintendent, sir.

I was so happy when you told me

that you finished the course.

Did it take you five years?

More than five, sir.

Don't be embarrassed.

What's important is you carried on,

finished Criminology and now, you're here.

Thank you for the opportunity.

There is a belief

that finding green bones

in a person's remains

is proof of

that person's goodness in life.

But there are no green bones

in this place.

Only one person I know is good

to the core.

They told me

they found green bones

in my sister's ashes.

A proof that Elise was a good one.

But I already knew that.

-Sup.

-Cruz.

This is Lt. Jonathan Cruz, head guard.

This is Gonzaga.

He was a student of mine.

Sir.

Did you come from Central, too?

I don't remember seeing you there.

No, sir.

This is my first assignment.

Sup, this one will have a hard time

with the inmates.

I'll assign him to guest relations.

I can do it, sir.

That's the attitude.

You see that, Cruz?

Sir, with all due respect--

All hands on deck, Cruz.

We're releasing some prisoners

and taking in transferees from Central.

You'll need him.

FRESH OUT OF JAIL

COMFORTABLE LIFE OUTSIDE

SLIPPERS

BABY'S MILK AND DIAPERS

Sir, what's this?

It holds the prisoners' small wishes.

That was a program

of the old superintendent,

Delos Santos.

He died this year,

so I had to move here from Central.

Cruz, too.

Delos Santos believed in rehabilitation,

not just punishment.

Many were released on good conduct

during his time.

This is not the prison you expected.

Sir, can I ask?

How can you tell

if a criminal has changed?

What if their case was m*rder?

Gonzaga, it's not in our oath

to question superiors.

Don't you understand that?

Nothing wrong with asking questions, Cruz.

You can do the headcount.

Here.

There are PDLs that could be released

in the next few months.

The last recommendation from Delos Santos.

Study each one.

There should be no violations

until the decision is handed down.

Let's help them.

Who knows?

You might find your answers.

Thank you, sir.

How many of them have really changed?

Luis and Minyong.

Lovers.

They k*lled Luis' uncle

with a hammer.

Ador.

Pusher.

Once a pusher,

always a pusher.

Gardo.

He took a security guard's g*n

and k*lled his manager at a fast food.

Pol.

He was cheated at a c*ck,

so he k*lled the rooster.

Then he k*lled the owner.

Change?

In just one snap,

they'll strike again.

The worst of them all

is Domingo Zamora.

Addict.

m*rder*d his sister

and niece in cold blood.

What kind of monster kills his own family?

Headcount!

One, two, three, four, five

Did you even shower, Gardo?

Yesterday, boss.

You smell like a cat.

Take a bath!

Yes, sir.

Every two hours

Headcount!

Hey, hurry up!

headcount.

Headcount!

They should be complete.

Headcount!

Look at these fools. Think they're angels?

They're only after attendance.

Headcount!

If you complete it in a month,

that's one day off your sentence.

There is no mention of deafness

in Zamora's records.

The word is that

he was tortured at Central

-and lost the ability to speak.

-Headcount!

Others say

it runs in the family.

Should we tell him?

Don't babble! You'll ruin it.

The prisoners have one routine.

6 a.m., gardening.

8 a.m., woodworks.

10 a.m., cooking.

12 p.m., lunch break.

But there is a critical time each day

when the gates are opened

to let the prisoners out.

No walls,

no steel bars stand

between them and freedom.

Only our eyes stop them.

This is what you call,

"fetch and return.

Some work in fishponds,

some in construction,

most work in farms.

Where's Zamora heading?

He's just off to their hut over there,

the souvenir shop for handicrafts.

They sell to the locals,

but their livelihood really comes

from the tourists.

And they just come back on their own?

Once you've caged an animal long enough,

it won't escape that easily.

But at night,

Domingo Zamora does something

I never observed from any other prisoner.

Zamora!

Lights off!

It's time to sleep.

I will get back at you.

He's still repeating his threat.

Just biding his time.

Sevilla Edgardo!

Just because you're old, you get to go?

You take care there.

And I'm taking Kitten along!

Hold it.

Property of San Fabian.

You can't take it out.

But I took care of him

since he was a baby!

Where was it born?

He can hear.

But why won't he speak?

Ador, let's send Mang Gardo off.

Conjugal visits are only until 3 p.m.

You better hurry!

Domingo Zamora, please.

-Who?

-Domingo Zamora.

Write it down.

Sign here.

Where? This one?

Who was that?

An NGO worker for Zamora.

Just be patient.

You'll be out in no time.

Everything is ready

in case you're not granted parole.

I'm running out of time.

The new guard is watching me.

Gonzaga! Where are you?

Like the last time, remember?

So how are we supposed to bring it in?

Leave it to Dom.

Who will do it, then?

We will.

Hey, now. Don't lose your nerve.

Tell Pol, too.

Dom won't like it if

You don't need to tell us.

All right, hurry up.

I need to drink my meds.

We're done already. Hurry up.

Mang Gardo!

Mang Gardo, what did I tell you?

Gardo, possession again?

That was fast.

Where's Kitten?

He's just around here somewhere.

Headcount!

-Seven.

-Eight.

-Nine.

-Ten.

Four are missing.

Look for them.

I told you not to fight back.

You're so stubborn.

You got what you were looking for, huh?

Dom warned you.

You didn't listen.

What's the fuss about?

He's not feeling too well.

Must be the heat.

Leave me alone.

Chief.

I'll take it from here.

Sup.

Gonzaga, what is it?

It's Zamora.

I have a hunch that

he's planning an escape.

A hunch?

There's a woman who always comes by.

She gives him something

and he gives something back to her

What?

I don't know yet, sir.

But Bautista,

Zamora hurts him so that

he won't squeal about their plans.

Did he tell you that?

No, sir.

But I saw burn marks on him.

I checked and Zamora's the one

who uses the branding iron--

Gonzaga,

did I ever teach you to rely on a hunch?

For over a decade now,

from Central to San Fabian,

Zamora has kept a clean record.

I was like you when I was young.

So determined to fight crime,

so eager for justice to be served.

But the reality is different

from the concept.

Let's agree on something.

Prof.

Didn't you tell us in class

that the courts are there

for the victims?

Then why?

Why does a criminal like Zamora

have the right to justice?

My sister never even had a chance.

Lisa?

Xavier.

This is awkward.

It's only been two months--

Thanks

for coming all this way.

That's nothing.

I have a client here.

And I wanted to talk to you.

I can't go back to the city just yet.

I just wanted to ask you

if there's an update on my sister's case?

Did you get the photo?

It looks like the suspect, right?

Someone told me

he was seen on Espaa Boulevard.

We could find out where he went,

where he lives.

It's been ten years, Xavier.

That's why there are cold cases.

No one cares.

I care!

I asked everyone I know

in Legal Assistance.

One blurred photo isn't enough.

The crime hasn't prescribed yet, Lisa.

There's a reason why the law is that way.

Lisa,

I still have some time.

Don't give up on me now.

Okay.

Sorry for the trouble.

I heard you tattled to the chief.

What's your beef with Zamora?

You know what your problem is?

You take this job too personally.

I read your file.

Now I know why you hate murderers.

Hey.

If you want to report to the chief,

you go through me.

I don't like your heroics.

It pisses me off.

Sister!

Sister!

Sister

Sister?

Sister

Sister

Inspection!

Why'd you come back?

-You brought something in?

-No, sir.

-Those are just my clothes, sir.

-What did you bring in?

What's in here?

Open it.

That's just cat food, sir.

See?

Contraband.

You're hiding something.

What are you hiding in here?

What are you sneaking in?

Spit it out.

Dom.

Dom.

-Why don't you

-What?

What are you hiding?

Say goodbye to your good conduct merits.

You'll never get out of here.

Take him.

Sup.

Here's the evidence.

No TV!

No visits.

You can't have pets. Take that out.

No favors.

We'll close the gates, until you tell me.

Now,

spit it out.

What's Zamora's plan?

When's the escape?

So, no one's going to admit it?

No one's going to talk?

Zamora!

I know you're just pretending.

I'm not your enemy.

There's a contract on my life.

-Liar!

-They'll k*ll me inside.

There's a job order.

They'll find someone to do it.

You're the m*rder*r.

You're the m*rder*r!

Eat first.

m*rder*r!

No matter who it is,

if you can help them, do it.

-Got it?

-Yes, big sis.

Sister, wake up.

m*rder*r!

Sister!

Stop!

There's another place

to isolate prisoners in San Fabian.

A prison within a prison.

Cruz calls it The Cage.

A place for secrets.

Here, Zamora won't see daylight.

I may not have avenged my sister's death,

but I stopped a person like Zamora.

No visitors allowed.

The prisoners committed a violation.

I'm just here for NGO work.

I won't take long.

It doesn't matter. They won't let you in.

Sorry, we'll tell you

when visitation opens.

Okay. Thank you.

Is your mom inside?

Or your aunt?

My name is Domingo Zamora.

I just got out of jail

for petty theft and drugs.

I just got out.

Again.

You'd think that

I would stay out of trouble.

But no matter what I do,

I keep going back to the old ways.

I'm not a good person.

Is anybody home?

Until I met you.

Are you Ruth?

Where's your mom?

Dom.

I haven't seen you in years.

How do you say "sorry"?

I babysat you

so your mom could go to work.

It was the least I could do

after everything my sister did for me.

Come eat.

Your mom will get mad at me.

Come on, eat now.

Later.

Ruth, do you like this?

And when I didn't know what to do

Betty!

Betty was a godsend.

What happened? Where's Joanna?

She's at work.

Ruth is sick.

She's looking for her mom.

She has a fever. Come inside.

Sit here.

Do you want to try?

Blow it.

I learned your language

so that we could speak.

So that you would never be alone.

In the eyes of everyone else,

we were the same.

Because of you, I saw myself differently.

The days turned into weeks.

Now, let's set this aside

so you can blow the candle first.

-How are you?

-I'm okay.

The weeks turned

into months and years.

Make a wish.

Thanks for everything.

I know you always look after Ruth.

That's nothing.

We've got each other, right?

You're bluffing, I'm your only uncle.

This is my favorite.

But things would change

when your dad was around.

What do you mean dangerous?

That's my daughter!

I know the things you do!

I know what you're doing.

I'll take her from you!

Even if I have to see you in court!

Caloy taught me everything I know

about the streets.

He'd bail me out

of my problems with money

with the law.

He knows people.

He has many connections.

Dom, I don't see you

at the usual spots anymore.

I've got a new hustle.

The truth was

I was scared.

Dom, I don't know what to do.

I don't want to go back there.

Betty has a quiet place

in the countryside.

Do you want to go away for a while?

She's been asking us to go.

I'd like that.

A peaceful place.

I regret introducing you to that man.

Dom, if something happens to me

I want you to take care of Ruth.

Jo,

nothing's going to happen to you.

You act like you don't know him.

I don't want Ruth to grow up

in her father's world.

They're getting dangerous.

Do you know what they do to children?

I found out and now he's threatening me.

Dom

Whatever happens,

you have to promise me.

You won't give her to her father.

We planned on leaving soon after.

But I didn't realize

Who is it?

it would be the last time

I would speak to Joanna.

Hey!

Hey!

Sister?

Jo?

Sister

Sister

Sister

Sister

Sister

Joanna!

Ruth?

I knew I was going down for it.

Ruth!

Addict.

Thief. Criminal.

Ruth!

They would have taken me

and given you to your father,

before I could even defend myself.

Betty!

Betty!

Help us.

We need to get away from here.

Dom!

The police!

Just don't wear them.

Go.

I'll hold them off.

But they'll take you.

It's either me or Ruth.

She can't go back to her father.

Acting so brave, aren't you?

Say it.

I already told you.

I threw her in the river.

Jorge Delos Santos was

the prison chief inspector in Central

where I was first incarcerated.

He would soon change my life in prison.

Next time you want to escape,

don't use the front door.

There are lots of ways to get out of here.

The thing is, all these corrupt officers

only answer to money.

Seems you've got a powerful enemy.

Their roots in this system are too deep.

Let me guess.

You're innocent.

Aren't you all?

I'm not a good person.

It's my fault that my sister is gone.

I deserve to die

Not Joanna.

I'll do anything

to get out of here.

There's another way.

It won't be easy,

but there is a way.

You can walk out right now if you want to.

But if you escape,

they'll hunt you all your life.

Zamora.

If you give yourself the chance

you could earn your freedom.

The question is,

what kind of person will come out

on the other side?

I confessed to something I never did,

and from then on, I kept my silence,

so that they would never find you.

Chief Delos Santos brought me

to San Fabian

as a transferee from Manila.

He needed an ally in the new colony.

I kept my silence.

Watch out.

There are eyes and ears everywhere.

He knew about Caloy's syndicate.

Remember.

Every act of goodness

brings you closer to freedom.

Betty found me a few years later.

She brought you

to the nearby mainland where you grew up.

She is the good one, Ruth.

Tell her that I'll always be grateful.

Because Chief believed it

I soon believed that I would make it out

and see you again.

I started writing you these letters, Ruth.

DEAR RUTH, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?

But no one else could know.

Thank you.

When I get out of here,

I'll go back to the countryside

and become a delivery rider.

And where will you get the money?

I'll find a way!

Stop it. Are you high?

I'll open up a store.

And everyone can loan from there.

That's good.

I think I'll go back

to the countryside too.

Life there is simple.

Maybe I'll do some farming.

I'm used to it here, anyway.

I'll marry Nelia.

We aren't married yet.

Luis and I will try to start over.

Of course.

We'll finish our college degrees.

FOOD FOR KITTEN!

We gave the tree a new name.

The wishes are simple,

but when they're granted,

the prisoners remember

that they're still human.

I'll turn this in tomorrow.

Congratulations, Zamora.

You'll soon be free.

Hang in there.

Take care of your friends.

And never let anyone take away your hope.

San Fabian was peaceful for a decade.

But eventually,

Chief's health declined.

With the chief gone,

darkness slowly made its way inside.

The abuses started with Cruz.

When the new guard came,

we watched him closely.

For many years,

I taught my companions

the language you taught me.

We found a code

so that we could speak freely.

Like a Saint, when asleep.

I can't read him.

Don't judge,

he might be able to help us.

Property of San Fabian,

you can't take it out.

You take care,

don't do anything you'll regret.

-Gardo!

-Gardo!

Why are you back here?

Mang Gardo was released ahead of us.

But he soon came back.

Mang Gardo, I'll wring your neck!

Why are you back?

It's lonely out there.

He came back on his own

because there was no one

waiting for him outside.

What happened?

It's okay.

It started with kickbacks and favors.

Until Cruz started recruiting inmates

for job orders outside

and within the walls.

Those who disobey are punished.

We heard from the grapevine

that the first contract

was for my life.

Everything is ready

in case you're not granted parole.

I'm running out of time.

The new guard is watching me.

Go ahead.

Be careful.

We came up with a bold plan.

To record Cruz' wrongdoings.

Who will take the video?

I'll do it.

I'll help you.

Me too.

Don't.

Stay away from Cruz.

Isn't this dangerous?

Just be careful.

No one can find out.

This is our only hope.

Give it to me.

Now.

We knew it was a gamble.

All our good conduct time

could be revoked.

But maybe they'll listen to us.

Hurry up!

Were you surprised?

Slowly.

See? You got what you were looking for.

Dom warned you. You didn't listen.

What's the fuss about?

Chief, he's not feeling too well.

Must be the heat.

Like a ritual,

I repeated my promise to you.

I didn't forget, Ruth.

Please wait for your uncle.

Zamora.

But if I don't make it out,

I hope you can use these letters.

If not now, if it isn't safe,

then maybe in the years to come.

So that everyone would know

that we lived here inside San Fabian.

And we have something to say.

I hope our plan succeeds.

I hope we are freed.

I hope to see you again,

even just one more time.

Are you going to put us in jail?

Were you the one

who left him the raft so he could escape?

So what if it was me?

Did you hurt Dom?

m*rder*r!

Send him to isolation?

Go inside!

What now?

Jail me if you want to.

Just don't hurt the child.

I don't plan on hurting you.

Where's Dom?

Is he still alive?

Gonzaga, another emergency?

It's Zamora.

His niece is alive.

Are you certain?

I'm sure of it.

Can you point

to the location of the child?

Yes, sir.

And Zamora's letters?

She has them.

Good.

I've called someone who knows this case.

There he is.

Gonzaga,

this is Carlos Pineda.

You might recognize him

from his gaming business.

He is Ruth's father.

Gonzaga.

Thank you for investigating.

Are you sure that Ruth is alive?

Where can I see her?

No problem.

Sir, I'm not sure they'll meet us

if we don't have Zamora.

That was our agreement.

Did Zamora ever mention in his letters

who it was that conspired against him?

No, sir.

Get Zamora.

Yes, sir.

Gonzaga?

Sir, can I talk to you?

I just want to speak on behalf of--

-Later.

-Please, wait.

I want you to know that

Dom is not a bad person.

If it's all right with you,

can we speak for a while?

All right.

When we were still in Central,

the others would harass me and Luis.

Only Dom helped us.

Even though they hurt him afterwards.

If it wasn't for Dom

we could've k*lled

someone else back there.

Weren't you imprisoned

for k*lling Luis' uncle?

Minyong!

The truth is

Luis was abused.

One night,

he was r*ped.

And then,

we had to fight back.

There was a hammer and

Sir, Dom is a good man.

He finds ways to get us medicine

when supplies run out.

It's true, sir.

He even bought my son

a new pair of shoes.

We've done terrible things in the past.

And we regret them deeply.

But I hope you'll still listen to us.

For Dom.

What should I say?

Boss!

What is it?

Boss, there's fighting in the dormitories.

So what? Why are you out here?

No, sir.

It's too rowdy, one guard isn't enough.

CO Gonzaga is asking for help.

Didn't Gonzaga lock you in?

He locked us in,

but it was just chaotic there.

Zamora.

It's Ruth.

She wants to see you.

Hey! Stop it!

I told you to stop.

Not me.

Why are you laughing, huh?

Whose idea was this?

-Boss, they were fighting!

-They were fighting a while ago.

-Are you playing tricks on me?

-Boss

Where's Gonzaga? You said he was here.

-He was here.

-Yes, we saw him.

-You won't make a fool out of me!

-Sir! No!

We have proof of what you've done!

What is that?

What did you say?

Move! Out of my way!

You.

Move it!

Get out of my way!

Move it!

Come here.

What did you say?

Come.

You were saying something?

Is this what you mean?

You want me to smash this on your face?

Is this it?

Give that to me!

We've had enough!

Then you can all burn in hell.

Water!

-Cruz.

-Sup.

Where are you?

Secure Zamora.

Yes, Sup.

Zamora, go on.

I'll take care of it.

What's that smoke?

Is it coming from the dorms?

Call the station!

They need help.

You go first. I'll be with you soon.

I'll come back for you.

Mang Gardo needs us.

Why didn't you k*ll him

when Delos Santos was gone?

Our whole operation's at risk

if Zamora talks.

Don't you realize

it's been peaceful here for years?

I'll be to blame if something happens.

Zamora can't die inside.

So what am I paying you for?

He was going to be eliminated outside.

Someone on the mainland was set to do it.

I had Cruz take care of it.

Everything was thought out,

even Cruz' replacement.

Sup, Gonzaga betrayed us.

Zamora already escaped once.

You should have done the job then.

-But Sup--

-You little

What was I supposed to do?

Gonzaga was there.

Idiot.

My reputation is on the line.

I told you.

There should be no trouble from inside!

I'm sorry, Cruz.

Prepare yourself to take responsibility

for everything that happened here.

Sup, I was just following your orders.

And you got caught.

-But Sup--

-It's done, Cruz.

This is part of your oath, isn't it?

"I am ready to face

the consequences of my actions--"

Who's the idiot now?

-Help!

-Help!

Give way!

Get out! Get out now!

Get out!

Kitten!

Get out.

Sir. Slow down.

Hold on. Come this way.

Where's Mang Gardo?

Dom!

Dom! It's Luis!

Kitten

-Mang Gardo's still inside.

-Take care of him.

Come on. Hurry up!

Mang Gardo.

We need to leave.

Mang Gardo.

Dom.

Dom.

Dom!

Dom.

-Ruth. She is waiting for you.

-Dom.

You promised you'd come back for her.

Dom.

Tell her that I tried.

Dom.

When Dom died,

the PDLs sat in silence under the tree

for seven days

to protest the abuses that happened.

What they did turned into myth

and spread throughout other colonies.

When they want to protest any wrongdoing,

they would not speak for a day.

After a long time,

Dom's innocence was finally proven.

But he never saw himself vindicated.

Sometimes, I wonder.

What would have happened

if I just let him go the first time?

Would things have turned out differently?

But I can't change the past.

I can only ask

for your forgiveness, Ruth.

Ruth made it to pre-med.

Thank you for all your help, Xavier.

It's nothing.

Time passed.

And the day of freedom finally arrived.

Galang, Adorado.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

But some need a little more time.

Sevilla, Edgardo.

Edgardo!

-Mang Gardo.

-Kitten and I are free!

Take care.

Every time we set prisoners free,

there is a ritual in San Fabian.

Zamora, Domingo.

When we call Dom's name,

it's as if we set him free

over and over again.

Who is good?

And who is evil?

Are people born righteous?

Or wicked?

Can goodness grow

from those who have done wrong?

There is a belief

that finding green bones

in a person's remains

is proof of

that person's goodness in life.

They did not find one green bone

in Dom's ashes.

BE A GOOD PERSON

They found

a hundred