---

1 P. I. R., 206. 1.

2 Dukut means secret assassination.

3 “I was informed that some Spanish prisoners have succeeded in escaping. It is necessary to redouble vigilance upon them, especially upon the officers of rank and upon the friars, because said prisoners might be of great use to us later on. They should, however, be well treated, but without giving them liberty, and confined within prison walls. If the country requires that they should be killed, you should do so. If you deem it wise, you should secretly issue an order to kill the friars that they may capture. They should be frightened.”—P. I. R., 471. 4.

4 Taylor, Ex. 833. Spanish A. L. S. 32–2.

5 Taylor, 46 AJ.

6 Ibid., 15 HS.

7 “To Chiefs of the Philippine Guerillas:

Extract from letter-sent book in Spanish of E. Aguinaldo, captured with him.—P. I. R., 368–3.

8 Dukutar means to assassinate.

9 P. I. R., 1281 and 368. 3.

10 P. I. R., 1199–1.

11 “1. The presidentes of all towns who subscribe to and recognize American sovereignty, shall be pursued by all the revolutionists without mercy and when captured shall be sent to these Headquarters for a most summary trial and execution as traitors to the country.

“2. All Filipino citizens, including the wealthy, of the towns, are subject to the preceding regulation.

“3. It shall be the duty of the revolutionary armies with regard to the towns which shall recognize or intend to recognize such sovereignty, to destroy the town or towns and without any consideration whatsoever to kill all males, even the poorest, and set fire to all the houses, without respecting any property excepting that of foreigners. And in order that hereafter such misfortunes may not occur, as chief of this province, I warn all the presidentes and wealthy people of each town to help us as Filipinos as we are your brothers fighting here in the field to give liberty to our mother country and woe to the traitor who falls into the hands of this revolutionary government, which will strictly carry out all the prescriptions above-mentioned.

“As the government which the invaders are endeavoring to establish is always provisional, if all the inhabitants of this province are true Filipinos, they can easily and simply answer that we are subject to the will of the Honorable President Señor Emilio Aguinaldo, whom we follow and recognize in this new born Republic as the President of the Nation.”

12 Taylor, 80 HS.

13 “January, 1900.

“To the Local Presidente, Tigbauan (Iloílo).

“It is with profound regret that I have to state to you that in accordance with reliable information this military delegation has heard that you and various residents of that town have as electors already taken an oath recognizing the American sovereignty. If this news is true, you still have time to retract the oath, as otherwise we will raze that town to the ground without any hesitation whatever, and you and your companions who have taken the oath shall be considered as proscribed, and consequently deserving of the terrible penalties prescribed by the laws of the revolution. This is not a threat: it is loyal and sincere advice for your own good and that of the town in general.

“May God keep you many years.

“Pio Claveria,
“Delegate of the Military Government.

“31st, 1900.” —P. I. R., 1054–8.

14 “April 3, 1900.

“To the local chiefs mentioned in the margin.

“I have heard with great sorrow that some of the towns of the southern district of this province have taken out the certificates of citizenship issued by the North American enemy, and have also complied with all the orders issued by them; this is exactly opposed to the conduct of the northern district of the province and shows little love for the country and an implied assent to the Government established by them, for which reason I see myself obliged to impose the severest punishment which is a sentence of death and confiscation of property of all those who shall submit to said Government, from the Chief and his local Cabinet to the lowest citizen, and annihilating their towns. For this purpose I have ordered the Commanders of Zones to watch in their respective districts the towns which may show weakness before said Government, and to impose the punishment which I have mentioned above. This circular is to be published three consecutive nights for general information of all, a report that this has been done being made to these Headquarters. Send it by the fastest couriers from one town to the other, the last one returning it with the endorsements of the preceding ones.

“Headquarters of Tierra Alta, April 3, 1900.

“Leandro Fullón,
“General and P. M. Governor.”
—P. I. R., 1047. 2.

15 P. I. R., 1047. 2.

16 Ibid., 824. 1.

17 Ibid., 1204. 3.

18 P. I. R., 981. 5.

19 “You and Captain Antonio must take the field this week without any pretext whatsoever, and must follow out my instructions very carefully. We have had patience enough, and now it becomes necessary for us to assert our authority. “It is advisable to punish by decapitation all those who go with the Americans; but it is necessary first to ascertain the existence of the crime, and if it should appear that they are real spies of the enemy, they must be beheaded immediately without any pretext whatsoever against it (being accepted).

“You, Captain Antonio and Judge Cornello must perfectly understand what this order says: when the wealthy are Americanistas, you must seize all their money, clothing and other property belonging to them, immediately making an inventory of the property seized, and you may remain in the place where the seizure is made as long as may be necessary to make said inventory, even though a great amount is spent for maintenance.

“Know furthermore that if the soldiers take any of the property seized, they will speedily be put to death and will surely go to hell; therefore when it becomes necessary to enter a town to make a seizure, you must direct the soldiers not to touch the goods seized, even the most insignificant, in order to avoid consequence of character.

“I have heard, Rufo, that Judge Cornello is opposed to your father-in-law, and I want you to know that Judge Cornello is of my blood; therefore, tell your father-in-law to be very careful because he will have me to treat with shortly, and will be made to pay for those threats which he is making against the people without good cause.

“You will publish this order in the town hall, in order that the evil-minded may see it.

“You, Captain Antonio and Judge Cornello, who are the three comrades who are to take the field, will acquire some happiness if you comply with this order.

“Health and Fraternity.

“Dionisio Papa.

“Calibon, May 19, 1900.”

—P. I. R., 970. 4.

20 “Make it evident in that circular that the towns which do not rise up in arms on the day fixed, shall be reduced to ashes and all their inhabitants killed, men and women, children and old people.

“The circular is to emanate from me, and you will sign it only by my order.

“Communicate also to the presidents of Cagayán and other towns that they collect the taxes of their respective towns, as soon as possible; and a president who shall not have collected the taxes on my arrival in the respective town, shall be hung without any hesitation whatsoever.

“I desire that the Presidents meet there soon and await my arrival.”

—P. I. R., 970. 5.

21 P. I. R., 1102. 7.

22 Ibid., 970. 11.

23 “March 20, 1900.

“Manuel Tinio y Bubdloc,

“Brigadier General and Commander in Chief of operations in the region of Ilocos.

“Considering that a sufficient time has passed and various means of having been employed as benignant as humanity counsels, to inculcate in the minds of many misguided Filipinos the idea of the country and to check in the beginning those unworthy acts which many of them commit, and which not only redound to the prejudice of the troops but also to the cause they defend, and having observed that such action does not produce any favourable result on this date, in accordance with the powers vested in me, I have deemed proper to issue the following:—

24 Guardias de Honor.

25 “So then dear brothers, be like those of Bacnotan who have not allowed their honour to be sullied, for when they saw the Guards of Honour enter their town they drove them off at once with blows [of bolos?—Tr.] and cudgels and to the end that you may not have cause to repent of what without doubt I shall be obliged to do, comply with this order, listen to the following:

“First. Whenever the Presidente of the town, Cabezas and Cabezillas of barrios shall have knowledge of the presence in their barrios of Guards of Honour, be they many or few, and do not cause their disappearance or death, they will be immediately shot or beheaded.

“Second. Every barrio or residence of the Guards of Honour where they are going about persuading the inhabitants to follow them in their noxious work—that we may be slaves forever—will be burned and all their property together with their houses; and their sons, their fathers, mothers and their wives will be shot or beheaded to pay for their treason.

“Third and last. All the grown men in the barrios, territorial militiamen or those called ‘sandatahan’ (bolomen), corporals, sergeants and privates, and everybody who is a Filipino will go immediately to help in the fight against the Guards of Honour and our enemy, the Americans; and those who pay no heed to this or hide themselves will incur the penalty of being shot or beheaded.

“This proclamation will be read in the barrios and will be passed from hand to hand so that it may be copied to the end that nobody may have an excuse when the time comes to put into execution what has been set forth.”—P. I. R., 168. 9.

26 Taylor, Exhibit 1083.

27 P. I. R., 509. 2.

28 “September 11, 1900.

“To the local Presidents of Malolos, Bulacan, Guiguinto, Bigaa, Bocaue, Marilao, Meycauayan, Polo, Obando, Santa Maria, San José, Angat, Norzagaray, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Pulilan, Quingua, Santa Isabel, Barasoain, Paombong, Hagonoy, Calumpit, and the military commanders Pablo Tecson, Bonifacio Morales, Maximo Angeles and Colonel Simon Tecson Libuano, Colonel Rosendo Simon, and also Major Dongon.

29 P. I. R., 341. 9.

30 “Two weeks ago a court-martial was held at these headquarters presided over by Colonel Aréjola, on you, Tuason, and other civil authorities of this capital, the decision being that you will be shot when we get there, which will be very soon.

“You as well as Tuason and Santachia, after having been shot, will be hung on the cathedral tower to be seen by the inhabitants in order that you may serve as a lesson.... I tell you this only as a companion and nothing more. Your obedient servant, who kisses your hand.

“El Montero.”

—P. I. R., 2007. 1.

31 P. I. R., 716. 2.

32 P. I. R., 716. 5.

33 Taylor, 35 HS.

34 P. I. R., 650. 8.

35 “Proclamations

“March 3, 1899.

“For general information, since it concerns everybody, we publish the two important proclamations lately issued by the Chief of Military Operations of Manila.

“Antonio Luna y Novicio, General of Division of the Army of the Philippine Republic and General-in-Chief of Military Operations about Manila.

“In order to prevent any act opposed to the military plans of these headquarters and consequently to the ideals of the Filipino Republic, I order and command (only one article). From this day any person or individual whatever who either directly or indirectly refuses to give aid to these Headquarters in the prosecution of any military plans, or who in any manner whatever interferes with the execution of orders dictated for that purpose by the General in Chief, commanding operations upon Manila will be immediately shot without trial. Communicate and publish this order.

“Given at the General Headquarters of Polo on the 3rd of March, 1899.

“Antonio Luna,
“General-in-Chief of Operations.”

—P. I. R., 214–2.

36 That is, Luna.

37 “March 6, 1899.

“Señor Presidente: Many complaints have been received here on account of the abuses committed by General Luna. It is said that he has lately published a decree in which he warned the people that those who disobey his orders shall be shot to death without summary trial, and he made his decree cover the whole province of Pampanga.

“To be shot to death without summary trial is a punishment which can be inflicted on soldiers; but a chief cannot enforce it in a civilized community, except among savages. Besides, he has only jurisdiction over Polo, where the General Headquarters is, and over the towns of the zones of Manila.

“I am very much surprised that these things are not well understood by General Luna. He has no executive power over Bulacán and Pampanga; he must have issued his orders through the military chiefs thereof.

“During such time as he is the commander-in-chief of operations of Manila he is not the director of war, and even if he is, he has no power other than to conduct his office and to take the place of the secretary in his absence.

“If an educated man can hardly understand his duties, how will the uneducated one understand his?

“Please make him acquainted with all of this in order to prevent any encroachment.

“I am at your orders.

(Signed) “Ap. Mabini.

“P.S.—It would be better, I think, to remove him from his post.

“A. M.”

—P. I. R., 512a-2.

38 “April 6, 1901.

“Cailles Brigade. Flying column of Rizal and Nagcarlan.

“In conjunction with Captain Macario Dorado, I believed it my duty to attack the town of Nagcarlan, for the principal purpose of killing the American local presidente, as was done during the procession last Holy Thursday. The Presidente was killed and one of his sons, and two residents were wounded, probably by stray bullets, while taking part in the procession.

“Which I have the honor to communicate to you for your information and consequent effects.

“God preserve you many years.

“Nagcarlan, April 6, 1901.”

(Illegible signature.)

“To the General in Chief and Superior Politico-Military Commander of This Province.”—P. I. R., 1142. 8.

39 The Insurgent leaders did not hesitate officially to report the commission of this ghastly crime. The following is such a report:—

“June 24, 1900.

In Margin, stamp: “Headquarters First Column, Laguna. No. 144.

“I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed letter from a resident of the town of Pila who had just returned from Manila, in which he gives me news of our present political situation, and as such news are satisfactory to our cause I send you said letter for your information.

“It is known from very trustworthy information that General del Pilar is under arrest in Manila and he has been substituted in the command of his forces by Colonel Macanca, who was his second in command, and is at the present time repressing with a firm hand the bandits who swarm about the outskirts of the zone under his command, as one of the celebrated bandits named Major Eusebio de Rateros, who had previously been in Pagsanján was buried alive in the cemetery of Taguig by Captain Simplicio Tolentino who is at the present time a member of that brigade.

“The news is also confirmed of the execution of Major Espada ordered by General del Pilar. I send you this news for your information.

“God preserve you many years.

“Headquarters, June 24, 1900.

—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.

40 “A commissioner of the Katipúnan 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.

41 At the time of this event he was a judge of first instance.

42 Taylor, 35–36 HS.

43 P. I. R., 653. 10.

44 P. I. R., 332. 9.

45 Ibid., Books A-1.

46 Blount, p. 203.

47 Ibid.

48 Ibid., p. 244.

49 “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 pass, 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.

50 P. I. R., 2035. 3.

51 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 quantity 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.

52 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 God 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.

53 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.

“God guard you many years.

“Entablado, 19th January, 1900.

(Signed) “Roman I. Torres,
“Commissioner.”
—P. I. R., 573. 2.

54 “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 document 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.

55 “Luna’s Order:

56 Major F. S. Bourns.

57 Dr. Manuel Xerez Burgos.

58 This is the “note by compiler on exhibit 816,” which is Luna’s order.

59 Taylor, 96 FZ.

60 Taylor, 99 FZ.

61 Ibid., 44 HS.

62 Blount, p. 313.

63 Taylor, 70 HS.

64 “In December, 1900, the people of the town of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, seized the guerilla commander of the town because he had raped some women, and then burnt their acts of adhesion to the insurgent government. They declared themselves adherents of the Americans, proceeded to give them all possible aid and assistance, and captured and delivered to them all the guerillas who dared enter the place (P. I. R., Books C-13).”—Taylor, 45 HS.

65 P. I. R., Books A-9, No. 39.

66 Taylor, 37 HS.

67 Taylor, 28–29 HS.