Superstition Saves

A relative once told me about how he was saved with the aid of a kutitot—our local native pepper known for its pungency and biting effect on one’s mouth.
He was an Army soldier.  His unit was assigned at the CHICKS area in Negros Occidental at the height of the anti-insurgency campaign in the late 1980’s.  CHICKS stands for the six (6) municipalities, namely: Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Candino, Kabankalan, and Sipalay. 
On that day, they were to conduct a routine combat patrol.  Everything appeared normal.  But he was tense and he had an upset stomach.  He thought that maybe it had something to do with the chorizo they ate for breakfast.  He packed up his things—rifle, ammunition, biscuits, and all. He was ready.
They assembled at their camp’s take-off area.  There were 15 of them in all.  Their team leader gave his last-minute instructions—he too looked tense.  He was edgy and nervous.  After a little more than 5 minutes, the briefing was over.  But it did not end with the usual YES SIRs being shouted by the men gathered.  Instead, their team leader showed them his palm filled with pieces of kutitot pepper.  There was no need for instructions on what should they do next—everybody just came forward, took a piece, and chew it in his mouth. 
My relative did not feel anything.  There was no pungency.  There was no hot chili effect.  Five other comrades felt the same.  The team leader must have felt nothing too. He announced that he was delaying their jump-off by one hour.  And so they waited.
As they were about to go, their radio communication received a frantic call for assistance.  Four (4) CAFGU members had just been waylaid by the NPA.  The incident happened at a steep road section which their team had intended to pass through.  The ambush was meant for them.  The CAFGUs just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Had they gone earlier, they would have been the ones ambushed.

Coincidence? Maybe... maybe not. Believe that it saved them.