JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CABATUAN
by Florentino Jiloca

Editor's note:
The author, former Mayor Florentino Jiloca, narrates the Japanese occupation of the town from his personal experiences as a town official under the puppet government. To preserve the drama of the incidents, the story is told in the first person.

There is no period or time in the history of Cabatuan more horrible, more frightening and more bitter than the three years of Japanese Occupation of this town. Elderly person who witnessed the American occupation of this municipality recalled that no similar wanton massacres of aged men and women and children had been committed by Americans like those by the Japanese soldiers with the aid of their Korean puppets.

The following is a short account of events that happened in Cabatuan during this dark period.


ORGANIZING THE PUPPET GOVERNMENT

#Japanese penetrate 4 Cabatuan barrios: Baluyan, Tigbauan Rd, Sulanga, Pagotpot
On August 30, 1943, the Japanese soldiers penetrated the barrios of Baluyan, Tigbauan Road, Sulanga, and Pagotpot. They killed many persons and burned houses. They burned the sugar mill at the bank of the brook in the barrio of Baluyan and killed the owner, an old woman named Onsay.

#Japanese threaten Juez de Cuchillo
On their departure, they raised a black banner at the Tigbauan Bridge and shouted very loudly that if the people would not return and live in the town and form a local government, the Japanese would come back the next week and conduct a juez de cuchillo so called because anything they met — men, women, children, aged persons and animals, they would bayonet or cut off their heads with Samurai swords. The news spread like wild fire to every corner of the town and became the subject of every conversation from house to house. The people were jittery and fearful.

#Garrido discusses surrender, to avoid Juez de Cuchillo
When the news reached Mayor Juanito Garrido, he was badly disturbed. He could hardly sleep. He was troubled as to how to avoid disastrous massacres. Day and night he went from place to place, conferred with many persons, seeking advice how to solve the biggest problem of the municipality — putting up a government under the Japanese.

He contacted teniente Oto (Cañuto Mainar) one of the old men in the town who had a sincere desire to help his townfolks, and was one of those who had earlier convinced him to run for mayor. The old man replied that he was ready to obey all orders for the benefit and welfare of the people but at that time, he was dragging his feet due to a lingering sickness and certainly would not be able to act as mayor at that critical period. Mayor Garrido also saw Mr. Ricardo Mainar, a former agricultural inspector and ex-municipal councilor and told him of the plot of the Japanese to conduct a horrible juez de cuchillo in Cabatuan if the people would not return to the town and form a local government. Mr. Mainar also refused on the ground that he had two sons in the American Army — Jose and Bonoy. The Japanese would not believe that he could serve them loyally. On the other hand, they might consider him a spy and death would be his fate.

Mayor Garrido and I met in the poblacion two days after the massacre in Tigbauan Road. We talked for some thirty minutes about the terrible events happening to our people. The populace was fearful and apprehensive. Some evacuated from their homes to hide in the mountains in Ma-asin, Janiuay, Lambunao and Calinog. Those who remained for one reason or another prayed to God for guidance and security. I went to Mayor Garrido's hideout in Morobuan where we talked lengthily about the possibility of surrender. During this meeting, we also talked of ways and means to solve the present crisis. He urged me to accept, if not as mayor, any position under the Japanese, but still I refused.

#Meeting of Barrio Tenientes at Tuy-an, Cabatuan
The third time we met was in my cottage in Tuy-an. He was accompanied by almost forty tenientes del barrio and some prominent persons from different places of the town. Other persons who had learned about the meeting also came. On that occasion, Mayor Garrido told the crowd that hundreds of persons had been murdered in Alimodian, Guimbal and Guimaras because the people did not surrender and cooperate with the Japanese soldiers.

It took a great deal of courage on my part to surrender for the sake of my townfolks. I weighed all possible consequencies that could result including the value of my life and the future of my eight children who were of minor age. After all, it was my duty and obligation as a citizen to help our people the best I could.


THE SURRENDER

Before the surrender, I contacted Colonel Luis Dator, the Division Commander whose headquarters was in the mountains. He had been my classmate in Iloilo High School. Sergeant Zosimo P. Binueza, his financial officer, who came home often to Cabatuan to visit his wife and children served as my liaison. I explained to Colonel Dator that we were forced by circumstances to surrender to evade jues de cuchillo. Colonel Dator did not object to our plan provided we secured the approval of Colonel Julian Chavez who was hard to contact personally. Fortunately, Mayor Garrido was able to inform Colonel Chavez of our plan to surrender as an effective means to save the civilians from the massacres of Japanese soldiers. Colonel Dator then instructed us to report to him or to Colonel Chavez whatever enemy movement or any vital information that may be useful to the Army.

My compassion for my townfolks became stronger after we were informed that my second cousin Vicente Morata would be appointed by the Japanese as mayor of Cabatuan if no one would be the Mayor and Basilio Roncal of Ginis Patag, suspected as fifth columnist, would be the chief of police. According to prevailing rumors, Vicente Morata was a trusted spy of the Japs.

It was unanimously agreed by the group to send a delegation to Iloilo to make a formal surrender to the Japanese Military Authorities. We elected a trustworthy man to be the Mayor.

A resolution was approved as follows:

"EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BARRIO TENIENTES AND SOME PROMINENT MEN OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CABATUAN, HELD AT TUY-AN ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1943.

RESOLUTION NO. 1

"WHEREAS many lives have been lost and valuable properties have been destroyed due to the present Japanese campaign;

"WHEREAS such massacres and losses of properties have been averted or minimized in Alimodian, Tigbauan and other places because the civil authorities of these places surrendered;

"WHEREAS the lamentable incidents at Barrio Pagotpot, Sulanga, Tigbauan Road and Baluyan on August 30, 1943, which caused many deaths and many houses and other properties destroyed may be repeated manifold times and more dreadfully if no preventive measure is taken;

"WHEREAS the civilians are now facing starvation due to lack of food supply because the people are abandoning their farms and evacuating somewhere;

"WHEREAS hardship of living is felt by everybody in this town because people could not go to other places to sell or buy goods;

"WHEREAS our Mayor Juanito Garrido is hiding somewhere in the mountains and our Vice-Mayor Jose Jiloca is dead and none of the members of the municipal council could be located;

"WHEREAS nothing could be done without town officials, there being no representation that could deliberate transactions;

"NOW THEREFORE, the present assemblage comprising of barrio tenientes and some prominent men of this town, acting in the best of their intentions and honest convictions with no other end in view than to protect as much as possible the lives and properties of the people at the present circumstances and to ameliorate their most precarious conditions;

"RESOLVED to elect as they hereby elected Mr. Pedro Dejecacion, Ex-Municipal Councilor and incumbent Barrio Teniente as the Mayor of this municipality;

"RESOLVED further to send a delegation to Iloilo headed by the said Mayor-elect Mr. Pedro Dejecacion to secure advice and approval of the Provincial Governor Honorable Dr. Fermin Caram, then and there to make a formal surrender to the Imperial Japanese Forces.

"I hereby certify to the correctness of the above resolution.

(SGD.) EMILIANO BINUEZA
Acting Secretary

ATTESTED:
(SGD.) PEDRO DEJECACION
Chairman Protempore"

#Cabatuan town surrenders to the Japanese
Delegates who presented the resolution to the Provincial Governor of Iloilo on September 6, 1943 were:

Federico Soresca, Poblacion; Pedro Dejecacion, Bo. Teniente, Tigabauan Road; Valentin Ceniza, Bo. Teniente, Tuy-an; Jose Luceni, Amirang; Benjamin B. Uy, Bo. Teniente, Pagotpot; Basilio Baylon, Bo. Teniente, Ayaman; Jacinto Liares, poblacion; Cipriano Leyso, Tacdangan; Lazaro Tiron, Tigbauan Road; Eustaquio Subiera, Barrio Teniente, Pagotpot; Jose Balberde, Barrio Teniente, Moroboan; Ruperto Maleriado, Barrio Teniente Bacan; Mansueto Marin, Barrio Teniente, Lag-an; Florentino Jiloca, Tuy-an; Apolonio Ceniza, Tuy-an; Esteban Franco, Barrio Teniente, Poblacion; Pedro Duremdez, Tuy-an, Iloilo High teacher.

These delegates who were to surrender to the Japanese officials would not proceed if I would not go with them, staking our lives and prepared for the worst just to help our people by averting the juez de cuchillo.

At dawn, when I was leaving for Iloilo, my wife walked with me to the door. She could hardly talk and when I gave her a parting kiss she uttered the following that could have stopped me from going: "I pray to Almighty God to protect and save you from any trouble."

I told her, "I have strong faith and confidence in our Lord. I will come back to you and to our children."

I assured her that if the Japanese held us, they would not kill any of us by virtue of our Resolution No. 1 and of the assurance given us by Hon. Dr. Fermin Caram, Provincial Governor of Iloilo and Flavio Zaragoza, his secretary. I requested her to offer a novena and pray fervently for our safety.

We did not know that that very day, Monday, our schedule to go to Iloilo to surrender, was the date fixed by the Japanese to commence juez de cuchillo in Cabatuan.

At about six o'clock in the morning, six big trucks fully loaded with Japanese soldiers stopped in front of the church. The soldiers jumped out of the six trucks, fixed their bayonets to their guns, formed their lines, looked around with their guns ready to fire if they saw enemies. Decoy (Federico Soresca), husband of Angeling (Angelica Morales) was ahead of us and was carrying our banner —a piece of white cloth, three by one and one-half feet and painted with big letters "CABATUAN SURRENDERS."

Decoy walked the crossing of Libertad and San Agustin streets at the North West center of the plaza, holding our banner over his head so that the Japanese could see and read it. His hands and feet were trembling with fear. He was stepping forward and backward. He was very much afraid as it was the first time he saw a battalion of armed Japanese soldiers in attack formations. If he ran away the Japs would surely fire at him and that would be his end. If he moved forward he might be misunderstood as an enemy and would be shot to death, but he stood firm and held his ground. His last recourse was to invoke divine help. Strengthening his mind and heart, he braced himself, prayed intensely and faced his fate.

When the Japanese Commander read the banner, he beckoned Decoy to come forward. Decoy who could hardly walk, later told us that it seemed to him that he was not stepping on the ground. He thought it was his end. When he came near the Captain he saluted and greeted him, "Good morning." But he was immediately surrounded by a squad with their guns pointed at him and his fear greatly increased. He stood bloodless and quivering.

Decoy explained in a trembling voice that we were going to Iloilo to surrender to Gov. Caram and to the high command of the Japanese Imperial Forces. There were many of us but the others were coming soon. Pedro Dejecacion was from Tigbauan Road, and Cipriano Leyso and Emiliano Binueza were from Tuy-an. The Japanese captain, a considerate officer, knew our good intention. He ordered bayonets off and the whole force proceeded to Ma-asin. It was like a mystery, a Divine Grace. The juez de cuchillo in Cabatuan was discontinued.

We proceeded to Iloilo. When we were in the fourth and last floor of the Masonic Temple waiting for the Japanese Colonel, Cipriano Leyso peeped thru the window and said, "If we jump over we would be finished before we touch the ground. We can not escape!"

The building was heavily guarded at three different sections. When the Colonel arrived, he looked at all of us, his eyes red; apparently, he was in an angry mood. He was walking to and fro in the room with his right hand on the handle of his Samurai sword. Then he said angrily and loudly in broken Ilongo:

"Tanan tao Cabatuan pulus boyong. Dugaydugay bogto tubo; dugaydugay ambus amon trak sang army. Con wala camo abut, tanan utud liog, tanan patay." (All people of Cabatuan are all thieves. Now and then, they sever our water pipes; now and then, they ambush our army trucks. If you have not come, all of them will be beheaded — all dead!)

We were motionless as if we were nailed to the chairs. Nobody dared to move. We could hardly wink.

After he finished his scolding, I stood and requested permission to say a few words.

"Yes," he said loudly and angrily.

"Your soldiers are in Ma-asin now," I said. "On their return to Iloilo, they will pass Cabatuan. I am afraid they will execute juez de cuchillo."

He said promptly, "No! No!"

All of us breathed a huge sigh of relief. Cipriano Leyso stood up and addressed the Captain.

"Captain, when will you go to Cabatuan to install and organize our local government?"

"I cannot tell you," the captain said.

I told him that we had no more money. We would be very much pleased if we could avail of their truck in returning home.

"No, truck," was his reply.

"May we be given free passes on the train up to Santa Barbara only?"

"No! Sacrificio," he said. Then he added, "Go home. Live in the town. COPELAR!"

I asked Mr. Vicente Araneta Piccio what was "Copelar."

He told me, "Cooperar."

The Japanese captain ordered us to go back to Gov. Caram for further instructions.

The Japanese really hated Cabatuan very much. It was the home town of Tomas Confesor, the leader of the resistance movement in Panay and Romblon. It was the home of many army officers. More ambushes had been done here than elsewhere. Many of their officers and soldiers were killed here. The water pipe lines to Sta. Barbara Reservoir were cut very often by the underground forces.

It was a really dangerous decision to surrender and to hold offices in the town when the Japanese were always watching and observing us. Our trip to Iloilo to surrender was risky. Many army men and EPG (Emergency Provincial Guard) who had not understood our good motives and without being ordered by their superior officers and on their own volition, tried to stop us and even threatened the members of our families by telling them that there was no hope for our coming home.

In Iloilo City, we were spied upon by the secret service men of the Japanese but Vicente Morata told them we were his townfolks and should not be molested or harmed. My aged mother Margarita Cosio and one of my daughters Celsa went with us to Iloilo City just to bring news to our wives, children and relatives if misfortune befell us. We slept in the house rented by Mr. Vicente Araneta Piccio at Rizal St. We used empty sacks for our pillows and blankets. We had camotes and balinghoy for our lunch and dinner. Rice was very dear and we had no Japanese money at hand. Our breakfast consisted of coffee and bread made from the flour of balinghoy.

Gov. Caram was not in the City when we arrived. He had gone to Buenavista to organize the local government there after a juez de cuchillo where hundreds of perons were killed. In the provincial buiding, we met Dr. Domingo Mabunay who congratulated us on coming to surrender. He said many in the City were worrying about the fate of the people in Cabatuan when they learned that there was going to be juez de cuchillo there. They were expecting bad news. Fortunately, our delegation came on time and they were glad.

The next day, in the residence of Gov. Caram, I met a townmate Lieutenant Elpidio Murga of the Japanese P.C. We talked and had lunch together with Gov. Caram and three Japanese officials who arrived from Antique.

#Tomas Confesor nearly captured by the Japanese
I talked also with Mansueta Patrimonio, first cousin of Tomas Confesor who related to me that Tomas Confesor was nearly captured in the mountains. The Japanese were very near — about fifty meters from the house, when Confesor knew about it. He rushed down, almost dragging his wife, and ran into the forest. He was not captured.

"The Japanese captured me, Leticia, and Prospera, and had taken us to San Miguel," Mansueta related.

#Fermin Caram letter to Tomas Confesor
After lunch, Gov. Caram told me to stay for a while as he wanted to send a letter to his compadre Tomas Confesor. He read to me his letter after he finished and signed it, and told me to send it at once. We were only two in the closed room when he wrote the letter. The Governor told me that he sent for me because he was confident that his letter would reach Confesor promptly. On my arrival in Cabatuan the next day, I copied Gov. Caram's letter which read:

"Querido Tomy:

"Vente con tu familia. Respondo por tu seguridad personal y por tu libertad. Gulmatico, Grecia y otros cogidos en B. Vista, Guimara; hoy tratados como caballeros. Los he ido a visitar varias veces y estan contentos.

"La independencia sera para el 18 de Oct. proximo; para el 20 de este mes seran las eleciones para Diputado. Tomando copia de la constitution.

"Avisamo donde queres que to encuentra. El pueblo necesita tu liderator, hoy mas que nunca.

"Me preocupa tu suerte y la de tu familia. Tu sobrina Prospera con Mansueta, Leticia y otra los vi en S. Miguel. Ofrecicer el guardian pero me lo negaron.

"Espero con ansia tu contestation.

Fraternalmente,

(Fdo.) F. G. CARAM
Iloilo, Sept. 13, 1943."

After Gov. Caram had entrusted his letter to me, I left the building. I was not inspected by the guards at the garrisons as my badge (Sunsuyaki) as treasurer of Cabatuan was pinned visibly on my front pocket.

I gathered my companions and made a courtesy call at the residence of Gov. Caram at Calle Rizal and waited for more instructions that he might give us. The Governor had in mind to appoint me mayor of Cabatuan but I told him that our resolution should be respected and given due consideration. We had taken along with us Mr. Cipriano Leyso, well known to Gov. Caram, to become mayor if and when Mr. Pedro Dejecacion would not be appointed. As we expected, Mr. Leyso was offered by Gov. Caram the mayorship but he declined telling the Governor that, "in view of my character traits — fiery, frank, outspoken and unrestrained, sooner or later, the Japanese and I will have an altercation."

I explained to the Governor the importance of the position of municipal treasurer at that time and why I wanted that position only. The treasurer requisitioned or bought all the materials needed in the municipality — office supplies, bond paper, carbon paper, ink, pencils, pens, supplies for Kalibapi and other social organizations, clothing for market vendors, uniforms of policemen, etc. In truth, two thirds of the office supplies I got from Iloilo were channeled to the Army and to the civil government. If another man had been appointed treasurer in Cabatuan who was not inducted in the Army, the channeling of supplies to the Army and civil government could not have been made. The Governor then agreed to appoint me municipal treasurer.

All the puppet officials of the town had been duly inducted into the service of the Army before we began to discharge our respective duties. We were given instructions relative to our duties and responsibilities to the Army and our people by Lieut. Sinforoso Padilla.


#Japanese install Cabatuan town officials
JAPANESE INSTALL TOWN OFFICIALS

Our induction as municipal officials was held on September 7, 1943. Gov. Caram, Flavio Zaragoza and important personnel in the office of the Governor, officers of the Japanese Army and many soldiers came to Cabatuan to inaugurate and induct the officials of the local government. Many people — men, women, children and aged persons from different barrios came when they heard the continuous ringing of church bells as it was the first time they heard the bells ring for over one year. Among the crowds were disguised army officials and soldiers and members of the Emergency Provincial Guard.

Speeches were made. Japanese officials said that they did not come for conquest and that our skin was brown like theirs. They said further that they were establishing a South East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and that they wanted to liberate the Philippines and the surrounding countries from the hands of the "imperialists" who wanted to dispose their products at the expense of the less fortunate Asian people. They would give us our independence on October 15, 1943. They wanted us to cooperate so that their objective of giving liberty and freedom for the Asian people would materialize soon. They would inculcate hard work, industry, thrift and loyalty so that the country would develop and progress rapidly like that of Japan which developed and became progressive and prosperous in a short period of time, even ranking third as a world power. They also added that the greatest thinkers and philosophers of the world came from the East. No men in Europe and America could surpass Buddha, Confucius and Christ.


THE HAZARDS UNDER THE JAPANESE

Our army officer who fearlessly and frequently went to the municipal building was Lieut. Sinforoso Padilla. I used to wonder why. Was it to observe if any of us — puppet officials, had changed our minds due to the hardship of living or the loss of their carefree days when their lives were gentler and more simple? Or did guerilla officers come perhaps to gether information about the soldiers in the garrison or such vital facts and figures most needed by the Army?

One morning, a Japanese official came to my office. That was before a garrison was established on the second floor of the municipal building. Lt. Padilla was inside the room. I gave him newspapers to read. We greeted the officer with "Good morning." The officer reciprocated, then gave orders for me to buy nipa in Oton or Zarraga for the school house and for the market. I invited the Captain to drink chocolate in the market place. When we went out, Lt. Padilla followed us instead of remaining in the office or going away. The people who saw the Captain and his soldiers walking with me and Lt. Padilla could not believe what they saw. They whispered to one another that "Porong was probably captured by the Japanese captain."

The captain, Lt. Padilla and I took chocolate together at one table. The Captain offered to pay for our drinks including that of Lt. Padilla, but Corazon Larios, who was in the store, told him, "Never mind, Captain. Treasurer pays." After thanking us for the chocolate, he and his companions returned to Iloilo City, leaving Lt. Padilla and me at the market place. Quickly, people gathered around Lt. Padilla asking him how he was able to conduct himself avoiding detection and capture.

When Mr. Rafael Londres, Jr., an Army man, knew that I was buying nipa, he convinced me to buy them in Oton so that he could go with me to visit his relatives and to know how many of them had been captured or killed by the Japs.

Early the next morning, Mr. Londres and Mr. Eustaquio Liares, AG-2 sergeant, were around and ready to go with me to Oton. It so happened that the Japanese driver knew a little Spanish, he having been in Cuba before the war. He was in constant conversation with Mr. Londres. It was quite late in the afternoon when we left Oton for Cabatuan. We stopped at Iloilo City and dropped at Chuy Yet restaurant where the Japanese Captain paid for our dinner. Before entering the dining room, we took off our shoes following the example of the Japs. The captain ordered beer and we drunk together and went our ways.

A few days later, Doña Juana, mother of Rosalina Grecia, the wife of Tomas Confesor, contacted dysentery in her evacuation place. Her ailment became serious, there being no medicines around. She asked my help to bring Dr. Caram in Cabatuan so that she could be treated. I went immmediately to Iloilo City and conveyed the wishes of Doña Juana to Dr. Caram. She stayed in my home in the poblacion just in case Dr. Caram would come and at the same time as a protective measure from the annoyance of Japanese soldiers, she being the mother-in-law of the much wanted and much sought Tomas Confesor.

Dr. Caram came the next day and convinced Doña Juana to stay in his residence at Calle Rizal for medical treatment and that she could not be molested by the Japanese. She should not be afraid to ride in his car as it was marked "Provincial Governor of Iloilo." The guards at the garrison saluted him, Doña Juana and members of his household, Manuel Arnaldo, first cousin of Manuel Roxas, who later on became First President of the Republic of the Philippines, his wife and children rode with Gov. Caram to Iloilo City. How greatly relieved I was after they left!

Some days later, a Japanese Captain accompanied by eight soldiers came to my office and asked me if I knew where barrio Tahong (Talahong) was. I told him that there was no such barrio as Tahong in Cabatuan. He asked me further if I knew Roque Gaborne (Enrique Gaborne) who was issuing money for the maintenance of the civil government. "I do not know him," I said. This incident alarmed Mr. Gaborne, his wife, Emiliana Castaños and their children when they heard about it. Mr. Gaborne sent for me to accompany him to Governor Caram for protection and to surrender. He came to my home about seven in the evening and promptly ascended the improvised ceiling of our temporary cottage. He was very much afraid to go down, so we gave him food and water to drink. He was very much afraid to be seen not only by the Japanese but also by EPG's who might kidnap him and bring him to the mountains where he was very much needed.

Mr. Gaborne stayed in our ceiling for one day and almost two nights waiting for an opportunity for transportation to Iloilo City. Fortunately on the second day, there was a truck of some Japs who were returning to Iloilo City. The Japs were in a hurry to go but I told the policemen that they had to wait as I was eating my dinner yet. When Mr. Gaborne's clothes came, we immediately rode on the truck. The Japs took the front seat while we were inside the truck. We stopped and got down at the house of Mr. Felipe Amaguin, Property Clerk of the District Engineer and our good friend living near St. Clements Church in Lapaz. We chatted up to eleven at night, then went to bed. After breakfast in the morning, we took a calesa direct to the residence of Dr. Caram as all vehicles were controlled by the Japanese. I returned home to Cabatuan leaving Mr. Gaborne under the care of Governor Caram.

Whenever town mayors were called for conference in Iloilo, I was always delegated by Mayor Pedro Dejecacion to attend the same. He was evading contact with many Japanese for fear that they might know that his son Celso, now a doctor of medicine, was in the Army so that I was mistaken by many, including the mayors of other municipalities, as mayor of Cabatuan.

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#Three Cabatuananons arrested by the Japanese
On one occasion, Vicente Larios, Pusing Reguera and Justina Baeña were arrested by the Japanese and taken to the Iloilo High School garrison for confinement. I was in Iloilo City when they were arrested. they had already stayed three nights in the garrison when I came home to Cabatuan and learned about it. I acted quickly. went back to Iloilo City, reported the case to the Governor and requested his help to save their lives. Unfortunately, the Governor had attended the banquet of the Japanese that day and on his return to his home he was drunk and went to bed immediately. I went to Mr. Flavio Zarragoza, but he told me he could not awaken the Governor because he was drunk and was sleeping soundly. Zarragoza told me to see personally the colonel at the high school garrison and explain to him about the case of the three persons. I was given by the guards opportunity to see the colonel. The charges against Vicente Larios were that he was Deputy Mayor of Cabatuan, was very active in helping the civil or resistance movement and the guerilla army and that his younger brother Clemente Larios was a Lieutenant of the Army. The elder brother of Pusing Reguera was Mayor of Cabatuan. That a brother of Justina Baeña — Democrito Baeña was an officer of the Army.

I told the colonel that the charges were real and true but Vicente Larios had surrendered because he desired to live freely and peacefully. I exhibited to him a membership card which I borrowed from the garrison at Tabucan, Cabatuan, showing that Vicente Larios was an active member of Kalibapi, an organization that recognized the authority and power of the Japanese in the Philippines. The members were actively working in projects that could produce more food and anything for their own livelihood. I also stated that we were residing near the garrison in Cabatuan.

Pusing Reguera, although a sister of Mayor Paulino Reguera, was living independently and separately from his brother, the mayor. She was tired of running now and then and she was always afraid. She was living in the town near the garrison.

Miss Justina Baeña was a public school teacher in the elementary grades. She had her own conviction and belief. She lived in the town peacefully and was cooperating with the local officials.

The colonel cautioned me that these persons might escape to the mountains when they were released. I answered him that I assumed responsibility to bring them back to him when they were needed and if they ran away to the mountains, the Japanese could behead me.

The colonel looked at me from head to foot and later on, he said, "O.K. but take care of them." I thanked the colonel and took the three outside with me. They embraced me with tears in their eyes.

We dropped at the house of Mr. Memarion, an employee of the Bureau of Lands. They offered soft drinks for us, but the three would not take any. Apparently, they could not swallow anything. They wished they could fly back to Cabatuan at once.

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#Florentino Jiloca investigated by Japanese
At about ten o'clock in the morning of Nov. 12, 1943, a Japanese armored car stopped inlfront of the municipal building. Two Japanese officials with eight soldiers went out and entered my office. They told me to go with them. We were heading for Janiuay but stopped at the end of Serrano Street. I was surprised and afraid. We went down the truck. They took me a few meters from the road at the site of the old cemetery, now a road to Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School. We stopped under a bamboo grove. A captain of the Kempetai who knew English well asked me some questions. "Do you know Clemente Larios?"

"Yes, Captain," was my answer.

"What is your relation to him?"

"He is my brother-in-law, younger brother of my wife."

"Where is he now?"

"He is in the mountain. He is a Lieutenant of the Army."

"How often do you meet?"

"We have never met since I surrendered." "Does he not send anybody to you secretly to secure any information about the Japanese and for some vital news?"

"No, Captain."

They brought me back to my office in the municipal building. I thought they would proceed to Maasin but they went at home to investigate my wife.

"Are you the wife of Mr. Jiloca, the treasurer?"

"Yes, sir," was the answer of my wife.

"Do you know Clemente Larios?"

"Yes, sir."

"Are you related to him?"

"He is my younger brother."

"What is he now?"

"He is a lieutenant of the Army."

"Does he return here to visit you?"

"No, he has never come home. I hate him very much. He was in grade school when our mother died. I spent much money for his education but when he married he never informed me. He is very ungrateful. If ever I see him, I will stab him with a knife."

It was very fortunate for me because when Mente was married in Jelicuon a month before I was investigated, I did not attend. My name was not included in the list prepared by the spies of the Japanese. Had we told lies the consequence would have been fatal to us. May be they would have killed me or both of us, husband and wife. The Japanese considered lying a very serious offense.

It never occurred to us that we would be investigated like that. It was a mystery beyond our comprehension. It seemed as if we were dictated what to answer the investigator. . .


THE CASE OF A JAPANESE CIVILIAN OFFICER

A civilian officer of the Japanese who was in charge of planting cotton in Cabatuan was often seen around the town alone. Sergeant Francisco Tarrazona plotted to kill him. One morning, that Japanese officer was walking alone from the municipal building to Ilaya. Sergeant Tarrazona and three other soldiers hurriedly selected a suitable place where they hid and could easily fire at him. The moment the Japanese officer was very near the place, the four of them fired simultaneously and hit him. The officer died instantly. The boys took away his pistol and bullets and surrendered them to their commanding officer in the mountains.

The Japanese soldiers at the garrison in the municipal building fired their machine guns for about twenty minutes but not one was hit. The incident was reported to Iloilo by telephone by Captain Maichidoy, captain of the garrison. Mayor Pedro Dejecacion was afraid and was telling the puppet personnel to scamper as the Japanese may retaliate but Captain Maichidoy told us not to worry as he would explain to the colonel that the deceased was at fault. He had not informed the captain of the garrison where he was going nor registered the place he was going to visit. He could have been warned that there were many army men around. When the colonel came, he investigated the garrison captain and after knowing that no one could be blamed, he took the cadaver to Iloilo City.


THE LIBERATION

At the time when General Douglas MacArthur entered Leyte Gulf with President Sergio Osmena, Sr. and his Cabinet, just before midnight of a dark and moonless night of October 20, 1944, waiting for dawn to fire his big guns at the ships of the enemy and the ground forces, all Japanese forces in Cabatuan were ordered to abandon the garrison in the town and in Tabucan and concentrate at Tiring Landing Field. We were invited by Captain Michidoy of the Cabatuan garrison to go with them but I told him I would see Gov. Caram first.

The Japanese soldiers stopped patroling as they were all gathered in Tiring Landing Field as the American Liberation forces were nearing Iloilo.

At this time, the Philippine Army in Panay acted swiftly to maintain peace and order in the three provinces. They were receiving supplies, jungle hammocks, cigarettes, other supplies, guns and ammunitions from the headquarters of Gen. MacArthur in Leyte. The Military court of the 6th Military Division in Panay conducted court martial hearings in Alimodian. Many crimes falling under the military tribunal were tried. All those in Cabatuan who served as puppets from mayor to messenger were summoned to appear before the military court to defend themselves why they should not be condemned as collaborators or spies of the Japanese Imperial Forces. Ours in Cabatuan was set from Nov. 10 to 15, 1944. A formal, open and public hearing was conducted. The military tribunal was composed of Colonel Pablo Brillantes, Chief Judge, Atty. Manuel Akol and Atty. Benjamin Defensor as members. The prosecuting Attorney was Atty. Francisco Omaña. The interpreter was Mr. Rafael Londres.

We were questioned separately one by one, subjected to long and strenous examinations. The investigations were long and lasted from Nov. 10 to 15, 1944. On the charges of being puppets, we were questioned if we acted in favor of or for the benefit of the Japanese; if we deceived, cheated, defrauded or victimized the army or the civil government. After six continuous days of trial, the military court did not find any evidence to condemn any or all of us and we were acquitted.

#Florentino Jiloca letter to Mayor P. Reguera
The appointed mayor of Cabatuan Paulino Reguerra on his honest conviction, perhaps not knowing that we were tried and were acquitted by the military tribunal, issued an order to arrest all those who served as puppets in Cabatuan because there were charges that we were spies of the Japs and had collaborated with the enemy.

I wrote a letter to the mayor and this was the content of my letter.

Cabatuan, Dec, 9, 1944

The Municipal Mayor
Cabatuan, Iloilo

Sir:

With reference to your order of arrest issued against the puppet officials and employees of Cabatuan in connection with 33 the charges of espionage or collaboration with the enemy, I have the honor to inform you that we have all been called, charged and tried openly and publicly by the Hon. Court Martial of the Sixth Military District operating in Panay from Nov. 10 to 15, 1944, inclusive, in the municipality of Alimodian. Each and every one of us testified separately, had been subjected to long and strenuous examination and cross-examination.

After a serious and painstaking deliberation on our case the Hon. Court Martial concluded beyond the slightest shadow of doubt that there existed not a scientilla of evidence to condemn anyone to us. We were acquitted and all of us were set free.

To try us again would be tantamount to putting us in double jeopardy. Please see article III of the Constitution of the Philipines. In view of these, I think it is no longer necessary to appear before your honor; besides, I am very busy with the army.

Very respectfully yours,

(SGD.) F. C. JILOCA

NOTE: Please see a true copy of my authority herewith. I was already inducted to the service of the army and was posted inside to act as undercover agent in the occupied territories. This copy is furnished for such use as you may like to take.

F. C. J.

On March 18, 1945 the American Liberation Forces landed in Parara, Tigbauan, Iloilo. All the Japanese Forces in Iloilo retreated to the mountains. American soldiers could be seen roaming around. They occupied, repaired and used the airfield in Tiring. All the inhabitants of Cabatuan were jubilant. They went from place to place and even to Iloilo as they wished. They felt the most profound joy after three years of deprivation and sufferings. To express their gratitude many of our beautiful young ladies offered, fruits, bananas, oranges, mangoes, cakes, suman, ibus, puto, etc., to the American soldiers.

"Viva America! Long Live MacArthur! Mabuhay Filipinas!" were the shouts of everybody everywhere.


Source:
Cabatuan, Its History and People
The Cabatuan Historical Society, Cabatuan, Iloilo