MOJICA TO THE LIEUTENANT COLONEL OF LEYTE TACLOBAN BATTALION, JANUARY 15, 1900
Exhibit 1372.
[Original in Spanish. Document signed. P. I. R., 1146.1]
PALO, January 15, 1900.
There is a stamp which reads: Superior Military Headquarters of
Leyte and Samar. - To the lieutenant colonel of the battalion of the
province of Leyte, Tacloban.·
It being impossible to separate the military element from the civil
authorities, and in order to prevent any friction by reason of the selfishness
and indifference of the latter and the superiority of the strength
of the former, which friction will bring about lamentable as well as
unpatriotic consequences, this Politico-Military government, with a view
of outlining the rule of conduct and to check further abuses, hereby
provides and orders the following, requesting compliance from all:
ARTICLE 1. All the local chiefs shall give due consideration to the
military men as the defenders of the integrity of the country and of
property of the people in general, and against the enemy's invasion.
ART. 2. The military man as defender of the country shall observe
decorum and dignity, endeavoring that his conduct be a model for all,
appreciated by his fellow-citizens and admired by foreigners, observing
the respect due the local chief as an authority, and extending a kind
and courteous treatment, as should be the case among well-bred persons,
towards the members of the popular board and toward all the inhabitants.
ART. 3. The local authorities are required to maintain the public
peace, and it is of their exclusive jurisdiction to watch and to punish
the outlaws and violators of orders, laws and other provisions in force
regarding police regulations, justice and public taxes, and if the police
force is not sufficient [for the mentioned purpose.-Tr], they may request
the assistance of the military forces.
ART. 4. The field and line officers, as well as the noncommissioned
officers, have 110 jurisdiction whatever over the local authorities, and
much less so over the inhabitants; but only over the military element.
They cannot interfere with matters other than those which are military
in character, and those provided in special orders, unless their assistance
has been requested by the local chiefs and by the inhabitants, and in
such cases they shall immediately turn over to the corresponding authority
the person of the wrongdoer; except in cases of fire, flood, rebellion,
escape of wrongdoers, or escape of a prisoner from a place of confinement,
in which cases the military men, motu propio, and at once, shall
go to the place of disorder to aid in the extinction of fire, to render
assistance to the unfortunate ones, to disperse mobs, to capture the
wrongdoer or prisoner, delivering him to the competent authority.
ART. 5. In addition to the aid and assistance provided for in the
decree issued by our Honorable President, the local authority may,
spontaneously and as a brother, render such service on payment of its
price or value.
ART. 6. None of tIle military men the field and line officers, the
non-commissioned officers or troops, whether stationed in this capital or
in any town, have the powers that the Guardia Civil had under the
Spanish government, an institution hated by the Filipino people, and
which was abolished by our government. And therefore, it is the duty
of the citizens and especially the local authorities-and it is a patriotic
duty-to denounce to the government any military man exercising the
functions of the Guardia Civil and especially the acts of vandalism which
this institution exercised.
ART. 7. Whenever a warlike condition may arise in this province,
that is to say, whenever a state of war exists therein, it will be the
duty of the local authorities and all the inhabitants to render gratuitous
service to the military men, for the maintenance of the soldiers
as well as in the supply of horses, carts with harness for the transportation
of the provisions and supplies of war.
ART. 8. The military men on requesting assistance from the local
authorities and from the inhabitants, will endeavor to hold up the prestige of the Filipino soldier, by extending to all affability and courtesy
and avoiding and restraining from using any kind of vexation, coercion
and oppression, practices which do not conform to and are not in accord
with our motto "fraternity."
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS.
ART. 9. While a state of war exists, the Chief of the battalion in
the capital and the commanding officer of the detachments in each
town or barrio, shall have the exclusive power to assign military guards
in the points or places where they suspect the enemy may enter or
land.
You are hereby requested to acknowledge the receipt of this circular,
and this government hopes that you will strictly comply with all herein
provided, with the assurance that such provisions are in accord with
your sentiments, as a good republican.
PALO, January 15, 1900.
AMBROSIO MOJICA,
General-Governor.
A true copy.
[Unintelligible signature.-TR.]
Lieutenant Colonel, Chief.