January 20, 1942

HQ, Intelligence Service

Bataan

 

Can’t go to Corregidor. Too much bombing. Jap planes flying above all day. Spent morning and afternoon in dug-out. Missed ‘brunch’ due to strafing. Movement of cars and trucks paralyzed. Planes dive at any moving object. No cooking because Japs might spot HQ due to smoke.

Transmitters from operatives in enemy-territory confirm presence of many newly arrived planes to intensify and accelerate Bataan offensive.

Bad news: several agents crossing Bay with transmitters apprehended by Jap patrol boats. Other bancas not noticed by Japs. The General will ask our mosquito boats to escort agents in future.

More bad news: Corpses of our ‘spies’ who crossed Bay from Camachili left by Japs in our beach defense. Bodies badly mangled, wrists tied with rope, bayonet wounds on stomach. One of the operatives was wearing Fred’s blue shirt.

When the General heard this report, he was very gloomy. He said: “Ours is a hard job. Espionage is the science of foul play. We are the eyes and ears of USAFFE. Spies are the soldiers of darkness. We shall honor those dead in our hearts. But we cannot publicly honor them –yet.”

Guerrero suggested arming operatives with grenades. “They can carry it in their pockets,” he explained. “In case they feel they have been spotted, the can throw it at Japs,” he pointed out.

One half of our officers are sick either with malaria or dysentery. Those of us who can still walk around must now do double work.

Prayed a lot during bombing. Fred said: “There are no Atheists in fox-holes.” I think that is a very deep statement.

Raid again. Lookout says “Hundreds of planes…”

January 20, 1942

No news in the Tribune about Bataan. I wonder why. As a matter of fact, there has been nothing on Bataan for the last few days. Are things going bad? Somebody told me that I should not worry, because no news is good news. Man is forever grasping at straws.

Same old office routine. Rice, rice, rice—from morning to evening. I am weary with work. I have lost about forty pounds. My only relief is that rice is the only commodity that has not gone up in price.

I remember one of my last meetings with President Quezon. We were taking breakfast together in Malacañang, at about seven o’clock, and we were talking about what might happen in this country, if war broke out. We agreed that the food situation would be acute, especially if the islands were blockaded. “But Vic,” he said, “as long as the people have rice, they won’t starve. I lived for six months on rice and salt!”

Well, the people still have rice and at a fairly low price. But I’m not over-happy. This is the time to prepare. Each year will be harder. The earlier the government pays attention to the rice problem the better. The trouble is that things are not as they seem until they are right before us. Men learn after they have been burnt. Our high officials are politically minded. I think more importance should be placed on the economic. Rice may yet be our downfall. People should read the story of Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned. I hear that someday Japan might give us independence. I hope that we don’t get to have a fiddling Nero for a President.

January 20, 1942 – Tuesday

After breakfast, we left with General Francisco to Juanting Point along the Manila Bay coast of Bataan to inspect our coast defenses. I inspected the 75mm self propelled guns, and machine gun emplacements. Some of the boys were R.O.T.C. Their enthusiasm and morale were excellent.

From this place, I went to Hospital N-2 at Cabcaben, with Major Gonzalez Roxas and Manolo Nieto. There I saw Lieutenant San Agustin and other officers. I stayed with them a while to cheer them up. The beds are placed on the ground and in the open. I hope this war ends before the rainy season, otherwise it is going to be a problem.

From here I took the command car and followed a mountain trail to Barrio San Jose, North of Mariveles, to inspect the Command Post of Major Turingan. We arrived at 2:40 p.m. General Francisco and the other officers were already there. We had luncheon and then we returned by launch to the rock (Corregidor).

President conferred with Captain Lino Conejero.

January 19, 1942*

*probably erroneously published as January 18, 1942 in the printed version

According to the information I gathered, the condition of the internees has greatly improved. The whole length of the fence has been covered with sawali to protect them from curious passers-by. They have organized themselves into groups, according to their professions or vocations, to work as electricians, mechanics, clerks, actors, couturiers, accountants, etc. Others do kitchen chores, police work, digging pits or the garbage, cutting grass, etc.

They also organized a football league with eight teams, composed of British and Spanish internees, and another for basketball, composed mostly of women. The favorite seems to be indoor baseball, in which many Americans participate.

Those who have no one to receive provisions from –and they constitute the majority– are being fed by the American Red Cross. A large gas kitchen was installed for this purpose. I was told that some $4,000 a day are being spent on this. The Japanese, however, do not spend a single centavo for the internees. They alleged that this was the penalty for what the American Army did in burning supplies, notwithstanding the fact that those who did it are now in Bataan and Corregidor, fighting.

The internees also published a mimeographed newsletter three times a week –previously censored– with news about the prisoners. Of course, they are not allowed to use the telephone or the radio, nor communicate outside.

January 19, 1942 – Monday

Got up at 6 a.m. Shaved & dressed. Took launch Baler at 7 a.m. for Cabcaben. Arrived there 7:30 a.m. Lieutenant Monsod aide to General Francisco & Major Javallera came to meet us. Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Nieto, and Major Romulo were with me. We took the command car and proceed to General Francisco’s Command Post we had breakfast there. Then we left on our inspection tour.

The first place I inspected was the Philippine Constabulary collecting station. I saw Colonel Luna and all the other Medical Officers with him. It is the best place of all I have been. Nice clean running water; good large trees which serve the double purpose of shade from the sun and from enemy airplanes.

From there I visited the Headquarters of the Philippine Army which is just across the road. Very nice and quiet place also. Well protected from Airplane attacks. I discussed some matters with them. I saw all the officers there. The morale is excellent, the spirit is high.

They were all anxious to know how soon would the help come. I told them that I have the pre-sentiment, the hunch, that I will return to Manila at the end of February this year.

It was already 11:20 a.m., so we decided to have luncheon at Colonel Luna’s place. After luncheon we proceeded on our tour of inspection. The first Command Post. we stopped was General Selleck’s. He was reconnoitering. This is the second time I missed him.

Then we went to General Segundo’s Command Post. near Morong. It is situated a few kilometers from Morong, on the side of the mountain. We had to do some steep climbing to reach his place. It was about 2:30 p.m. We found him eating his luncheon as he had just returned from the battle line. He explained to us the situation. “During the morning”, he said “a group of about 300 Japanese tried to make a landing in the beach. Our artillery saw it and let them have a taste of our shells. They ran away leaving about 150 dead and their guns”. At 3 p.m. he took us to his main battle line. We reached our line which was in the south-side of the Morong river. I visited all the machine gun nests and spoke to the boys. The morale was excellent. They were anxious to see the enemy and let him have it. Then we climbed the hill and saw our batteries of 75mm and 155mm guns. I spoke to Lieutenant Menties an American in command of the batteries. He said that he would stick to his gun alive or dead and “Believe me”, he added “when this baby (155) starts firing someone is going to get hurt.”

As I was afraid to be caught by darkness in the mountain road, we returned to General Segundo’s Command Post, dropped him at the entrance and the proceeded to General Steven’s Command Post at Km. 148, Pilar Bagac Road Trail 7, 3 Km. South to the Interior. We arrived there 5 minutes after a Japanese plane had circled the place and dropped 4 bombs. No damage done, only two telephone wires cut. No casualties. I saw him, Major Velasquez, Captain Papa, and other officers. I did not see General Bluemel as I had been informed that he had left with his division for the main battle line at Abucay.

We proceeded then to General Capinpin’s Command Post at Guitol — six kms to the interior of Balanga. We had to cross an extensive sugar cane field. After we had driven about ten minute, some Filipino soldiers yelled at us: “Be careful for snipers.” I paid no attention. A little farther we were stopped by an American soldier, who warned us that some snipers had infiltrated our lines and were shooting from the sugar cane. I saw some Philippine Army soldiers and one officer waiting. I asked them what they were doing and they replied that they were waiting for a truck to take them to General Capinpin’s place. I told them to stand on the running boards of my command car and shoot at the first sign of snipers. After a few minutes my guide (2nd Lieutenant Subido) said “there is the entrance to General Capinpin’s Command Post”. I jumped out of the car and suddenly I saw a large number of our soldiers attacking from my left. Unknowingly, I was standing two yards in front of a machine gun. The gunner said “Sir, please move away, I am going to start shooting.” Then firing came from our right. I then realized that we had been caught between 2 firing lines. I jumped back into the car, and my guide suggested that we escape through a back road leading to Balanga. We did. Nieto and I held our pistols in our hands ready to shoot in case of necessity. We were able to leave unhurt from that danger.

Earlier, in the afternoon, I had been informed that Lieutenant Primitivo San Agustin had been wounded, so I went to Limay where Hospital N-1 is located. I found that he was admitted on January 6, and left on January 12. No one could inform me of his disposition. I concluded that he had been transferred. As I was in the Limay Hospital, the ambulance arrived bringing Colonel Hudson, who had been wounded at Guitol, just in the place where we had been standing. He was bleeding profusely from his side. We then returned to General Francisco’s Command Post arriving there at 11:15 p.m. It is very hard to drive in those roads at night with black-out lights. The roads are not wide and the traffic is tremendously heavy.

We had dinner at 11:30 p.m. and then we went to bed. I was so tired that I just washed my face and hands and went to sleep.

January 19, 1942

HQ, Intelligence Service

Bataan

 

Report of operatives on general trend of affairs in Manila: Japs have enforced martial law in City. Death penalty to be imposed on anyone who inflicts or attempts to inflict injury on any Jap. If assailant or attempted assailant cannot be found, ten influential persons who live near vicinity of crime will be held as hostages. Jap military notes are now in circulation but peso and even dollar is still recognized. Many persons have been seen tied to posts and made to face sun for violation of traffic rules. Everybody must bow before Jap sentries. Failure to do so means five or six slaps on face regardless of age or sex. Not many abuses committed against women in city but in provinces many cases of rape. Many cars commandeered by Japs and all car owners required to register names in Jap headquarters. Markets are open but prices of foodstuffs slightly increased. Japs have permitted religious freedom but have controlled radio and all newspapers and magazines. Americans and Britishers have been concentrated in Santo Tomas Camp. Mayor Jorge Vargas has been recognized by Jap High Command. Japs have agreed to recognize status and authority of peace-and-order officials; protect life and property; recognize existing laws and orders as well as customs and usages, excepting those incompatible with new situation. Curfew has been placed at 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. everyday. Japs reported laying plans for establishment of civil administration run by Filipinos under an executive commission. Meeting of Filipino officials regarding this matter held in Yulo residence. Filipino high officials inclined to cooperate with Japs “for welfare of Filipinos”. General attitude of political bigwigs is to “do business with Satan”, “make the best out of a pretty bad situation.” Jorge Vargas may be made head of Executive Commission.

Condition in provinces quite different from City. Japs have abused women. In Calumpit even women in family way were not spared. In Pampanga towns especially where some soldiers were killed, Japs retaliated by torturing farmhands, burning houses, abusing women. Sakdals are acting as informers for Japs but in many cases Sakdals point innocent people to merely satisfy personal grudges. Meanwhile, communists have taken opportunity to settle grievances with landlords in the absence of law enforcement agencies. Many landlords have been subjected to humiliations, others murdered. Looting abounds but this exists not merely in provinces but also in Manila. Transportation has become an acute problem. Trains are strictly for the military but lines in many parts are still under construction. Most bridges have already been repaired by Jap engineering corps. Japs have limited supply of gasoline and have ordered everybody to surrender their gasoline cans. Manila folks use calesas and carromatas as means of transportation. Street cars are functioning. Young people ride in bikes.

Fred Castro is now deciphering military reports. Jap Commander-in-Chief is Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma. He is personally directing attack on Bataan. Only his representative confers with Filipino officials. Not even Mayor Jorge Vargas knows name of Commander-in-Chief. Japs keep it a big secret. Estimated number of Japs attacking Bataan over half a million. Japs landing troops in Lingayen and Aparri. Small port being built in Aparri. Operatives are presently trying to get pictures of Jap ‘zero’ fighter, reported one of the best in the world. This fighter is light and very maneuverable. Japs have sacrificed ‘armoring’ for ‘speed’ and ‘maneuverability’.

Japs are exerting every effort to bring life in Manila back to normalcy. They want stores opened and employees to return to office. All these, of course, under strict military surveillance. But attitude of Filipinos is one of “waiting”, “passive resistance”. They criticize “collaborators” praise those “who stay at home’. They expect USAFFE back “in a month’s time” when “the big, big convoy arrives”. Almost everybody listens to and believes Voice of Freedom. Some who were caught listening to Voice of Freedom have been shot. But many continue listening despite great risks. News is also spread thru little typewritten notes carrying USAFFE communiques or radio broadcasts from San Francisco. Japs have arrested many suspects but news dissemination continues. It is not an uncommon sight to see groups of men talking in whispers about what Radio San Francisco says. At night, roar of artillery in Bataan audible and people begin to think “perhaps they are already around Pampanga.”

In staff meeting this evening the general said that outposts of intelligence service have been organized in strategic provinces of Luzon. Transmitters have already been installed but these have to be moved from time to time because Japs have localizers. “It’s too bad,” he said, “we don’t have carrier pigeons.”

I will bring report on political and economic situation to Commonwealth Officials in Corregidor tomorrow.

All officers in HQ have asked me to buy them cigarettes in Rock. Some of the boys have started smoking ‘papaya’ leaves in lieu of Camels and Chesterfields. I’m glad I’m not a cigarette addict.

I can hear Gen. de Jesus shouting at the phone right now. He is talking to Bat 102, that’s Corregidor. Apparently, they are having a hard time hearing each other.

Leonie and Fred had a discussion after supper, regarding opening of prostitution houses in City. Leonie believes it is immoral. He maintained the strict Catholic attitude regarding prostitution. Fred considered it a bad necessity under present circumstances. Other officers joined in argument. The doc believes “prostitutes will save our wives and sisters”. Somebody stated “This will only make them ask for more and more.” Fred asked my opinion. I said: “Prostitution is never justified but I certainly wish, pray, none of our women become victims of abuses.”

Can hear a plane. It is flying low.

 

(later)

 

The latrine in this Command Post is now named “MUSICAL HALL” because most of the boys have diarrhea due to the salmon. Fred calls it “Perfume Dept.” Why not “Lizar branch”?

January 19, 1942

Rumors, rumors, rumors.

Rumor that the convoy has arrived. Rumor that a Negro Army has landed in Batangas. Rumor that the USAFFE has reached Pampanga. Rumor that the USAFFE is using a secret ray that blinds the enemy. Rumor that Japanese officers, leaving for Bataan, shed tears because they know they’ll never come back alive. Rumor that President Manuel Quezon is dying. Rumor that a Japanese general committed harakiri. Rumor that Russian planes have bombed Tokyo.

Rumors, rumors, rumors.

This is not rumor: I have resigned.

This, too, is not rumor. My resignation was not accepted.

A friend said. “Miss So-and-so who is seventy years old will marry Mr. None-of-your-business who is seventy-five already.”

Commented a third: “Eso es RUMOR.”

Countered back the other: “No, eso es AMOR.”

Said my friend: “Eso es HUMOR.”

I wish I had said that. Oh well…

 

January 18,1942 – Sunday

This has been a quiet day. No alarms. Windy & slightly cloudy. We can hear once in a while the artillery fire at Bataan.

January 18, 1942

Today’s papers reported that the New Order has solved the traffic problem. Obviously. The best remedy for a headache is to cut off the head. It was amusing to watch the cycling fad. I know of persons who exchanged their magnificent Buicks for one bicycle. It was also amusing to see men, women, and priests practicing how to pedal the bicycle, bumping into one another, breaking their noses or colliding with frightened pedestrians.

Well, we had to laugh at something. The past weeks have been very sad.

January 18,1942

“You can’t put a good man down,” they say, and the cochero is that good man. He is king of Manila again, as virtually all gasoline-driven motor vehicles, with the exception of military cars and vehicles authorized by the Army, disappeared from Manila’s streets. I’ve given up my Super-Buick. I’m using a small Crossmobile. It is very economical. It has only two cylinders and very small tires. These are not days for luxury. Any old rattle-trap will do as long as one gets to his destination.

Saw a Japanese wearing a dirty undershirt with a towel wrapped around his neck riding in a Packard. “The worm has turned,” remarked my chauffeur.

The rice mill at 1010 Azcarraga was opened this morning. The following things were found:

(1) About 100 sacks of palay.

(2) Hessian cloth that will probably be enough for 40,000 sacks.

(3) Sack-making equipment, which has a capacity of about 15,000 sacks per day. Japanese soldiers accompanied Tanco to the mill and he asked them to guard it.

Supervisor Noya suggested a re-arrangement of desks in the office. He moved his desk next to mine. No objections.

Lt. Takeda will release NTC papers after 2:00 p.m. We can close 1941 accounts.

“NARIC,” said Mr. Noya, “may become the Controlling Foodstuff office.” He said that he admires the way I handle the office, notwithstanding my age. Do I look so old? Except for the dash of grey hairs and wrinkles, I feel young. I am young. He agrees.

Vicente Sabalvaro, manager of the National Food Product Corporation, reported this morning the result of his survey of the 200 hectare vegetable project in Marikina, Montalban, and San Mateo. He said that we should obtain permits from the Army for the delivery of seeds to Montalban and San Mateo, as per our requisition from the Bureau of Plant Industry. According to him, the municipalities of Montalban and San Mateo will turn over to us all their communal lands on condition that they be paid a yearly rental of ₱1,200 and ₱600, respectively. “The farmers,” he said, “are now harvesting the present crop. It is necessary that they be directed to prepare the land for the next planting. To rush the project, which is essential to supply the needs of Greater Manila, please get permission from the officials of the Japanese Army, so that we may proceed with the project without delay.” Passes and permits, permits and passes from the Army for anything, for any silly old things. Pretty soon you’ll need a pass to visit your own grandmother!

The fighting in Bataan must be fierce. Ten truckloads of corpses covered with vegetables passed Avenida Rizal.

Dead men tell tales, after all.

January 16-17, 1942

Quiet. Two alarms each day but no bombing. We downed 2 planes today (17th). Carlos Romulo had been sick for the last 2 days with fever. He is staying with Manolo & myself. He is better today.

January 17, 1942

The newspapers say Singapore has been subjected to heavy bombing. KGEI announced that British forces have retreated to Palch, 100 kilometers northwest of Singapore. Looks bad.

My suggestion to allow each individual to have five sacks of rice for personal use has been granted by the Army, in view of the many complaints received at headquarters, according to Supervisor Noya.

The Japanese have hinted that NARIC might handle flour distribution. That means more work.

Must send Occeña to Santo Tomas camp to find out the amount of food supply the Americans need.

Heard through Mr. Baer that Dr. Youngberg is very ill. He is in St. Luke’s hospital. Must visit the old Doc.

Scarcity of sacks. Must think up some other kind of container.

I asked Mr. Terada, Assistant Supervisor, to make things clear. I want to know my responsibilities and if I have any, then I must have the authority. I told him I want a written report whenever orders are given directly to my men.

Luis de Leon arrived after a trip from Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. He says Nueva Ecija is in turmoil. Some people have fled. Women are unprotected. In Sibul, he stated, lots of firearms were left by the cadres. This has encouraged looting.

Leandro Castillo went as far as Jaen, Nueva Ecija. He reported that the tenants are asking when threshing will commence. “They need kerosene,” he said. The tenants also want to know where to deposit their rice.

Present organization of the NARIC. This is the theoretical arrangement: actually, the Japanese are managers and we Filipinos are advisers. And which is worse: we have responsibility without authority.

The inability to understand each other’s language is a great deterrent to the smooth execution of daily business. Relations between the Japanese employees and minor Filipino officials are like those of master to servant. Mr. Inada of distribution is very arrogant, bullheaded, tyrannical, although quite efficient. Personnel relations in the office are tense, strained. Nerves are on edge. The Japanese want the Filipinos to understand their ways. The Filipinos expect the Japanese to comprehend them. At least, there should be a fifty-fifty meeting. The Japanese cannot forget that they are the victors, the conquerors. The Filipinos take their words literally, that they have come as liberators, and not as oppressors.

Some Filipino employees have been slapped. This cannot go on. I must talk to Mr. Noya. To the Japanese, slapping is customary when a superior reprimands a subordinate. Among Filipinos, slapping is a mark of dishonor. In ancient times, slapping was a cause for duels. I must tell Mr. Noya that it is for the good of the Japanese themselves that they stop raising their hands.

The Filipino is patient. He can suffer a lot of abuse. But there is a limit. Those who do not believe, may ask the Spaniards.

In the district of Tondo, Japanese patrols now walk in squads. Every night two, three, sometimes four sentries disappear. Love of country, like any kind of love, has its fatal phase.

 

January 17, 1942

Motor Pool, Intelligence Service

Bataan

 

 

Will sleep here tonight with the drivers, mechanics and motor transport officers. The General asked me to stay here overnight to find out how boys out here feel and to report findings to him.

Motor transport officers have good life. Their food is better than what we have up in headquarters. Drivers that are not being used are sent to coast to fish. Got my first fried fish this evening. It was superb.

One of the chauffeurs is an Igorot. Lt. Maceda ordered him to dance one of the wild Igorot wae-dances. He sharpened a bamboo to make it look like a spear and he danced for five minutes. The Igorot war dance is similar to the boogie-woogie.

Listened to KZRH special broadcast for Filipino boys in Bataan. Poor piece of propaganda. Filled with a lot of mushy stuff designed to make boys homesick. Enjoyed nice swing music especially “In the Mood.”

Some of the operatives arrived this morning. Am very anxious to get back to headquarters to hear their reports.

Lt. Palo, in charge of motor transport pool, was down with malignant malaria. He was thinking of his wife. They were married one week before the war and his best man was his sergeant. He said: “I told her I’d be away for only a week. She must be very worried about me.”

Talked to some of the American M.P.’s directing traffic near intersection at foot of Base Camp. One of them said he was from Texas and he sang a lot of hill-billy songs. Most of the time he was out of tune but he was a very jolly fellow. He said: “Frankly, I don’t think I can distinguish a Jap from a Filipino. How can you fellows tell?” I told him most Japs are bow-legged and slint-eyed. Filipinos are not. He remarked: “That makes a Jap out of me. I’m sort of bow-legged, man.”

January 16, 1942

Even small details must be authorized by the Army. The Japanese are thorough, although stubborn-headed. Had to ask Mr. Noya to get the Army’s O.K. for the opening of the National Trading Corporation’s warehouse at 1010 Azcarraga to permit me, its acting manager, to secure the invoices which are needed to make the Corporation’s accounts up-to-date, and especially to close the books as of December 31.

Also requested Mr. Noya to secure the Army’s permit on the reopening of the NTC to resume its activities of selling foods and groceries to the public, inasmuch as very few stores are open at this time, and those which are open have very little stock and the prices being charged are exorbitant.

Couldn’t sleep. Walked till eleven at the tennis court. The evening is beautiful and the sky is full of stars. Prayed, prayed, prayed, as I strolled. There is something consoling about prayers. I remember having told this to a friend. And he asked: “Why, what do you pray?” “When I pray,” I replied, “I simply open my heart to the Lord.” With me, prayer is not the continuous repetition of a ready-made, formula-like exhortation. Prayer is a conversation, communion of creature and Creator. It is man asking his Maker to remember him.

I have often wondered: “What are the prayers of a whore?”

January 15, 1942

Ignorance is really bliss. Walked right into the American concentration camp in Santo Tomas, without knowing the Japanese prohibited such visits. Saw old friends: Sam Cronin of the Associated Press, Arthur Evans, Duggleby, Dr. Leach, Turner, Stevens, Sam Gaches, Calhoun, Farnsworth, Stewart, Grove, and Duckworth. They ganged around me anxious for news, news, news. “How’s Bataan?” “Corregidor?” “What about the convoy?” “How about food, clothing?“ “How’re the Japanese treating the Filipinos?“ “How’re you? “How’s everybody?” “How long do you think it will last?“ “Oh very short, of course.” “It’ll be over in a minute when the convoy gets here.” “They just got us by surprise but when they wake up back home, you’ll see.” Americans will always be Americans. Concentration camps can’t dampen their spirits. A flight of bombers droned high above, like silver specks. “They might be U.S. planes!” remarked a young lad.

The food and finance committees of the concentration camp have ₱1,000,000 with which to purchase supplies. Dr. Brusselle is in charge for the Red Cross. The Red Cross has six weeks supply. They want to make arrangements with the Japanese regarding an appeal to the United States or Roosevelt or Red Cross for essential food. I mentioned this point to Mr. Noya and he thinks the Japanese Army authorities will not consent. “That’ll be beneath their dignity,” he opined. He gave me a friendly advice: “Avoid dealing with the Americans in the camp.” He implied something about “hostile act.”

Had to report the number of trucks, jitneys, cars, gasoline, and oil NARIC has in stock and how many and how much will be needed for its operation, to secure the necessary permits and passes from the Army authorities.

Vic said he saw our Buick parked near Villamor Hall. It’s now in the hands of the Navy. “I felt like stealing our car,” he said. “It was just parked there without a chauffeur.” Only in war can absurdities like stealing your own car occur.

January 15, 1942

Bataan

HQ, Intelliegence Service

 

“See You in Manila” news sheet published by Intelligence Service well received by men in front and officers in Corregidor. Major Carlos Romulo wrote our unit a congratulatory message.

First part of news sheet carried items on fighting in various sectors in front lines. Leonie wrote a column analyzing situation, painting hopeful future, reminding boys of America’s promise to send us a convoy.

We did not put our names to publication because we were playing safe. Japs might have spies or some copies may fall in Japanese hands and our families in Manila may be needlessly endangered. We placed our initials as editors: CGB. C for Castro, G for Guerrero and B for myself. Most of the stuff however was written by Leonie, then Fred, I did the least work. Leonie and Fred write very much better than I do and I have to aide the general most of the time.

The SYIM publication is also running a Bataan Sweepstake. Corregidor boys may also join in. Each soldier is entitled to one guess as to date of our victorious entry into Manila. Each entry must be accompanied by P1. The one who first guesses correctly the date of entry of first troops into Manila will receive sum total of pesos entered in contest. Right now we have received more than P60 already. My entry is April 9, Guerrero’s is March 26th, his birthday. General run of entries is January 31st, Roosevelt’s birthday. Only one fellow July 4th. Most optimistic guess is January 20th, within five days.

Chuck Boyle, sergeant in Corregidor, is Voice of Freedom. Leonie was asked to broadcast but he refused because he was worried about his wife in Manila.

Heavy bombing during the last few days. Big tree near motor transport of our service was cut in two. A lot of AA shrapnel dropped near our C.P.

The town of Mariveles is a mass of ruins. All houses, nipa or cement, have been destroyed by bombs.

The coast area is leveled to the ground due to incendiaries. In some houses, nothing remains but the cement stairs. In the blaze, Bonifacio’s monument still stands but the bolo he carries has been partially destroyed. The flag was not hit. The Cross in the dome of the church still stands but part of the altar has been wrecked. The quarantine station in Mariveles stands on three posts only. Some of the rooms are open to the sky and the garden in front of the quarantine office is full of bomb-craters. The walls of the house are pock-marked with shrapnel holes but some of the rooms in the first floor are still habitable. I saw an old man trying to fix up the ruins of his nipa shack amid the wrecked homes in Mariveles. “The Japs can bomb this place again,” he said, “for all I care, I’ll build my shack.” He represents the fighting spirit of the Filipino people. You can’t put them down.

Just received telephone call from outposts in Cabcaben. Beach defendants claim they have arrested several men in bancas in civilian clothes. The general has sent for the men. They might be some of our operatives. There is still no coordination between our unit and the beach defense.

Food supply is running low. We now have only two meals a day. Brunch –breakfast and lunch– at 10 a.m. Brunch consists of one salmon and half a plate of rice. All the water you want. Supper is at six p.m. before sunset. Menu: Salmon and rice. Sometimes salmon changed to sardines. On Sundays, we get carabao’s meat. Sometime, monkey-steak which I can’t swallow.

Life in our HQ is like Robinson Crusoe’s . We have a shower bath. My sergeant connected bamboo poles to a stream. We therefore have a non-stop faucet. If you pull a rope, the bambo rises and you get some sort of a shower bath.

Our toilet is very primitive. Its just a canal with wooden facilities for squatting. It is also very spacious. Three people can be accommodated at the same time.

Our water for drinking comes from the upper part of the stream. The medical officer takes charge of boiling the water for us.

Each officer has a wooden desk made out of Carnation boxes. Maps are spread on tables made out of branches of trees.

The telephones are of the field type and they hang on tree branches near tents of the officers. The radio runs by battery and it is in the center of the C.P. Officers gather around at night to listen to the Voice of Freedom. Fred calls it “Voice of Boredom.”

The kitchen has been built quite far from the main camp because of the smoke. An old gas stove has been reconditioned for firewood use.

In between tents are dug-outs which can accomodate seven to ten men. Dug-outs have chairs inside and look like little tunnels. Some dug-outs are connected to each other and there is a cobweb-like network underground. At night, lamps are placed inside dug-outs and typing of reports for Corregidor continues.

Staff meetings are held in little plaza in front of radio. Today the General said operatives have begun gathering reports in Manila and various enemy occupied Luzon regions. The General also read reports that Japs have been pocketed in sector of 1st regular division and “is trying to break through fiercely”. “In other fronts,” he said, “interdictory fire has been maintained.” In eastern sector, artillery duel continues and patrol activity has been further intensified. The general said that he was worried about the supply problem but that plans are being studied to solve difficulty by bringing food from Visayas. He did not say anything about the convoy. Col. Torralba, chief of staff, entered Bataan Sweepstakes. He thinks it’ll be Jan. 31.

Leonie and I feel situation is not as rosy as pictured. There must be some trouble about the convoy. Maybe the U.S. Navy was badly crippled in Pearl Harbor.  Maybe also something has happened in Hart’s Asiatic fleet. Why did he not come out and challenge the Jap transports? Maybe –and this is likely I think– I don’t know anything about naval strategy.

Nevertheless morale of boys in Bataan still high. There is still a strong determination to kill the Japs. They are praying for reinforcements from the U.S. though. They’ve been fighting since Dec. without any replacement. Rations are getting less and less.

Most of the boys say: “Never mind sending us troops. We can lick the Japs. Just send planes, planes, planes.”

Presence of Japs flying above without opposition, bombing and strafing at will except for AA fire gives a helpless feeling. One gets very sore but there’s nothing he can do about it. Some of the boys in desperation shoot at planes with their rifles. In certain instances, this has made matters worse because the Japs are able to locate positions. They return later and drop bombs.

There is a rumor that S.S. Legaspi was able to steam up Cavite and load rice sacks carried from Batangas. This will greatly help fast decreasing rice stocks. Salvage units are trying to refloat a ship sunk in Bay loaded with wheat flour. Quartermaster officers believe the inner part of flour can still be eaten. Only outer walls will be wet, they claim. All these moves show food supply is getting very short.

Funny incident happened between Col. Jalandoni and Gen. MacBride. The General who had just inspected Jalandoni’s beach defenses said:

“Colonel, your line is getting thinner,” Jalandoni thought the general was referring to his waist line, and so he replied:

“General, I did not come here to eat; I came here to fight.”

General MacBride laughed and said:

“I was not referring to your waist line but to your front line.”

Another funny incident happened to Col. Jalandoni the other day. His area was subjected to heavy aerial bombardment. The colonel ran and when he saw a dug-out, he jumped in. The dug-out was a latrine.

Col. Jalandoni was commander of Nueva Ecija garrison before the war. Then he was assigned to Malacañan. He is a good friend of President Quezon and family. He came to our C.P. this morning to visit Gen. de Jesus and he gave me a box of chewing gums. He is a good friend of my dad.

It’s getting dark now so I must stop writing. I wonder how mama and papa are. I am missing them an awful lot. Never thought this fight would last this long. When will we be able to see each other? I pity those whose boys die. They will never be able to see each other again. Of course, there is the memory that their son gave his life for the country. I wonder if that is a great consolation. Maybe it is.

I guess there is really no place like home especially when you are not home. Leonie is always thinking of his wife. Fred is worried extremely because his wife was on the family way. “By now, I’ve got a baby, I wonder if it’s a boy,” he said. I’m sure all of us at this time of the night start thinking of our homes only we don’t tell each other about those feelings. When I pray at night, I don’t only pray that I might see my family but also that all my companions might see their families too. But I guess that’s an almost impossible thing to ask. I think I’ll stop writing now because what I am writing is making me feel sad.

 

(later)

 

Prayed rosary with Sgt. Sinculan. He said he had not prayed for a long, long time.

January 15, 1942 – Thursday

Heard Mass & received Holy Communion. At 10 a.m. I invited Major E. C. Cruz, Medical Corps to the Treasury Vault for a good cool bath. We went. We stayed rather long. At 1:30 p.m. when we were driving home, Major Cruz shouted “Alarm, Sir”. I had to act quickly because we were in a place which had been bombarded several times. I knew that if we continued we would not be able to reach the tunnel in time. So I ordered our driver to turn around and return to the vault. As we reached the vault we jumped out of the car. Major Cruz pointed upwards. “Sir, look what a beautiful formation of nine planes.” That was no time for sight-seeing! I pushed him into the vault and I followed. We had scarcely entered when three explosions were heard nearby followed by three more distant. As the noise ceased we went out. I found my driver lying flat in a ditch. He got up and entered the vault. Then we saw three pieces of shell where we had been standing. The large piece was so hot that it could not be touched. The raid lasted forty-five minutes. On our way home we found that the place where we had turned had been badly hit. The trees were badly cut up. Major Cruz remarked: “Sir, that was a narrow escape. I admire you for your quick decision.”

January 14, 1942

HPA (HQ, Philippine Army)

Bataan, Mariveles.

 

Will sleep here tonight as it is too dark to return to our command post. This is a nice place, like a picnic ground. No fighting here, practically no work, except hiding in dug-outs when bombers fly above and waiting for assignment to other units as need for more men arises. HPA unit is a sort of reserve pool for manpower. Other divisions call it HPA –Happy People’s Army. (Corregidor soldiers are jibed with DTS-award, i.e. Distinguished Tunnel Service.)

Manny de Leon was just talking to me a few minutes ago and he said that he has received orders to go to the front tomorrow. He has been assigned to the 201st Engineering Corps. “The trouble,” he said, “is that I am not an engineer.”

Had a long talk with Assemblyman Benito Soliven who is a major. He asked me about conditions in the front lines and he gave me dried meat. The Assemblyman was lying down at the time because he was suffering from malaria.

HPA people got a scare the other night. According to Assemblyman Soliven, marines in Mariveles coast started shouting “Japs! Japs!”. Somehow rumor spread Japs had landed in rear area. As men not organized for defense in HPA, boys started to run and hide in pajamas, for they were in midst of sleep then. When morning came, the boys started returning to their tents and everybody laughed at each other because they found out it was just a false alarm. People in HPA are not armed except with .45’s.

Somebody spread rumor here that Russians have bombed Tokyo without even declaring war. I wonder if this is true. This is one war in which the entire world wishes. Everybody will cheer for both sides to lose.

 

(later)

 

Saw Edwin at Gen. Francisco’s C.P. He said “still no planes for us aviators. We don’t do anything but wait in our dug-outs. We should be given the DDS: Distinguished Dug-Out Service.”

January 14, 1942

Seventeen offences punishable by death have been announced by the Japanese Commander-in-Chief. Some of them: rebellion, spreading false rumors, espionage, misguiding Japanese troops, stealing military equipment, looting, counterfeiting, harboring any one guilty of these crimes. Life isn’t worth a cent these days.

Informed the Japanese supervisor that plenty of tomatoes, radishes and other vegetables have not been harvested in Marikina, because the people have fled due to the presence of Japanese soldiers. Silayan wants to secure other people to harvest it.

Asked Dr. Vasquez to give me a triple injection: anti-cholera, dysentery and typhoid. Prevention or rather injection is better than cure.

The name of the Japanese Commander-in-Chief is Masaharu Homma. There is nothing said about him in the papers. The Japanese are very secretive.

My brother Philip arrived from Nueva Ecija. No peace and order in the provinces. Many abuses committed: rape, murder, torture, robbery.

Invited to a wedding. Why so many marriages these days? Misery loves company.

Well, it’s been another day.

January 13-14, 1942

Quiet.