Like Rentap, Ubong relied on ancestral talisman and “Pengaroh” charms to survive the 27-year long Sarawak insurgency. His story is about two childhood friends--one a Chinese policeman and the other an Iban rebel because their ideologies differed. Ubong’s counterpart was Sarawak’s top Special Branch (SB) officer Dato Lawrence Lim Eng Liong of Kanowit.

In 1957 Lawrence who went to an English school, joined the Constabulary while Ubong and his family had their education in a Chinese school. Lawrence received his training in counter-insurgency warfare with the MI5 and MI6 in London while his counterpart, the communists from the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP) which was formed in 1965.

In 1977 Ubong was appointed leader of the newly-formed “Party Rentap”, named after his legendary 19th century mentor. In the midst of one battle, Ubong’s wife Burai anak Gambai and one of his daughters who took up arms, were killed. By the early 1980s, Ubong was the sole Iban terrorist as with a band of 77 young and idealistic Chinese communist continued with their struggle in Kapit jungle.

After years of living in the jungle, out-numbered by the government forces and constantly on the run, Ubong agreed to surrender. On December 24, 1985, Lawrence’s group of five SB officers including Supt Frederick Rengga and three hand-picked corporals Eugene Jampi, Wilson Mergie and Ngindang prepared for the very important mission.

Lawrence in his memoir said it was a mission cloaked in secrecy and fraught with danger because the five policemen to travel into remote jungle location for a rendezvous with the Ubong’s group of 30 armed terrorists.