The Philippines: Past and Present Volume II Part 54

--P. I. R., 605. 4.

"Julio Herrera, "Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 4th Column.

"To the General and Politico-Military Commander and of Operations of This Province, General Camp."--P. I. R., 605. 4.

[121] "A commissioner of the Katipunan society at Ibung, Nueva Vizcaya Province, compelled the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to that organization, and issued orders that all who should refuse to follow the dictates of the same should suffer death; and, in pursuance of such orders, was proved to have had, in February, 1901, two men beaten to death, one man buried alive, and two women burnt alive."--Taylor, 38 HS.

[122] At the time of this event he was a judge of first instance.

[123] Taylor, 35-36 HS.

[124] P. I. R., 653. 10.

[125] P. I. R., 332. 9.

[126] Ibid., Books A-1.

[127] Blount, p. 203.

[128] Ibid.

[129] Ibid., p. 244.

[130] "June 5, 1900.

"Sr. Local Presidente of Katibug:

"I send you a little of the poison known as 'dita' that you may put it on the points of the 'balatik' and 'sura' (spears and traps) admonishing you to take care that none of our people are wounded with the said poison, and if by misfortune any one is wounded, immediately apply the stem of the 'Badian' mixed with that of the 'lingaton' in the wound, as this is the most efficacious means of neutralizing and removing the effect of said poison. Be active and place many of the spears, etc., in all the roads and trails where the enemy must pa.s.s, and as soon as you know of his next expedition, inform me immediately by despatch, both by day and night.

"It is very necessary that the people detailed to place the poison on the points carry always the 'badian' and 'lingaton' so that in case of mishap some one may apply the remedy to neutralize the destructive ingredients of the poison at once.

"Headquarters of Matuguinao, 5th of June, 1900.

(Signed) "Lukban, General.

(Seal) "Military Headquarters of Samar."--P. I. R., 502. 7.

[131] P. I. R., 2035. 3.

[132] The following issued by Col. R. F. Santos in Albay Province is a sample:--

"October 14, 1900.

"In view of the present exceptional state of affairs in our beloved mother country, the Philippines, considering the straits we are in, and in compliance with the order of the General of Division and Chief of Operations for his campaign plans, I trust that upon receipt of the present communication you will kindly order the captains of territorial militia of that barrio, Apud, Pantao and Macabugos, to have all the soldiers of their respective companies provide themselves with at least fifty arrows apiece and a sufficient quant.i.ty of the well-known poison called dita to apply to the points of the arrows, and to have their bolos well sharpened. I must remind you that as repeated practice is essential in order to secure the best results in the use of these weapons, you will endeavour to have at least twice a week, according to the convenience of the residents, said exercises take place in secluded spots, far from all danger of being surprised by the enemy.

"For the purpose indicated above you will likewise order that all the residents of your respective barrios have ready in a safe place a supply of the fruit commonly called Ydioc, putting it in water to decay, and to also have in readiness a squirt gun, that is to say, a 'Sumpit,' in order to use it in case of any invasion or attack of the enemy."--P. I. R., Books B, No. 113.

[133] The following is a sample report:--

"February 4, 1900.

"Lieutenant-colonel C. Tinio:

"My Dear and Esteemed Uncle:

"I am now carrying out a scheme here in this town for the purpose of killing some American sentries, whose bodies will be buried in the woods near the town, where they cannot be traced and found by their comrades, in order to avoid any investigation by them. They will believe that these soldiers have deserted. I have just sent to Gerona for a supply of wine, which, mixed with a strong, sickening stuff, will be sold to them; once they drink of it, the effect will soon tell on them, and then we will seize their rifles.

"I feel that I should advise you of this matter, in order that you may know the reason if, perchance, it should happen that we lose the confidence of the inhabitants of the town on account of this scheme. However, we will be satisfied if we can seize some rifles without resorting to violent means or to a scandal.

"This is the purpose of your devoted nephew, who always prays G.o.d for your health and life, and who sends you his kindest regards.

"San Juan (Tarlac Province?), February 4, 1900.

(Signed) "Leoncio Alarilla, "Captain of Guerillas."

--P. I. R., 480. 5.

[134] The following is a sample report. It will be noted that its author was a civilian, not a soldier:--

"January 19, 1900.

"Sr. Lieut. Col. A. Tecson:

"With due respect I address you to inform you that yesterday at 10 A.M., I was in the barrio of Bagonbaulat and I saw one of the enemy's soldiers who was lagging behind his companions, and what I did was to order the man in charge of that place and three men to be called whom I ordered to capture the said soldier, and when a prisoner I ordered him to be led to the woods and there they killed him and buried the body; the rifle he carried and ninety cartridges I left with the people and continued my march to San Isidro; on my return when I was to get the rifle mentioned I could not find it and they told me they had sent it to Major Manolo. I inform you of this in compliance with the order.

"G.o.d guard you many years.

"Entablado, 19th January, 1900.

(Signed) "Roman I. Torres, "Commissioner."

--P. I. R., 573. 2.

[135] "At page 1890 of the same volume, Captain J. R. M. Taylor, 14th U. S. Infantry, a gallant soldier and an accomplished scholar, who was in charge in 1901 of the captured insurgent records at Manila, states that he was 'informed' that the doc.u.ment was originally 'signed by Sandico, then Secretary of the Interior' of the revolutionary government. Captain Taylor made an attempt to run the matter down, but obtained no evidence convincing to him. A like investigation by General MacArthur in 1901 had a like result."--Blount, p. 200.

[136] "Luna's Order:

"'Malolos, February 7, 1899.

"'To The Field Officers of the Territorial Militia:

"'By virtue of the barbarous attack made upon our army on the fourth day of February without this being preceded by any strained relations whatever between the two armies, it is necessary for the Filipinos to show that they know how to avenge themselves of treachery and deceit of those who, working upon our friendship, now seek to enslave us.