BELLO TO BRIG. GEN. SUPERIOR MILITARY COMMANDER OF LEYTE, AUGUST 21, 1900
Exhibit 1381.
[Spanish L.S. P I.R, 879.3 ]
AUGUST 21, 1900
To the Brigadier General, Superior Military Commander of this Province
of Leyte.
In view of the unofficial news which I received regarding the true
condition of the guerrilla band under the command of the officer Jorge
Kapili and the fact that communication was difficult both for these
headquarters and for him, for the purpose of studying carefully the
state of the campaign and of outlining a plan of attack, if possible, on
the town of Abuyog, I went on the 18th instant, accompanied by two
soldiers, for this purpose to the place where this officer was. But to
my surprise when I arrived at the chapel of Buena Vista and Sabang,
in the center of said town, I found groups of Americans: it became
impossible for me therefore, to reach the detachment of the said officer,
and I sent him orders to report to me, remaining hidden in the vicinity
of said place.
But during the 19th and 20th instants, while awaiting him, several
residents of said place recounted actions which were not only indecorous
but even outrageous, which they attributed to said officer, that I with
regret place before you as follows:
Without being able to state exactly the dates upon which these acts
occurred, it appears that the officer referred to, having received some
pieces of blue striped cloth, collected sewing machines to make clothes
for the troops. By order of said office, the hair of a woman called
Pitang, the owner of one of these machines, was cut off, and she as
well as her husband were beaten. As this woman had a brother who
was a boloman in the guerrilla band, the officer ordered that he be
closely watched and held strictly responsible for any mutinous acts he
might commit, and as the person referred to was able to say between
gasps that "as soon as his pains got better he would go to Tacloban
or Manila" the said boloman informed the captain hereof, fearing a
greater punishment if he did not do so. The captain thereupon ordered
the recapture of this man who was then again beaten, resulting in the
breaking of his arms and legs, and his death yesterday.
A woman named Dayang coming from the town, seeing the Americans
landing behind her and coming in the direction of the place where
the guerrillas were, arriving in good time she in good faith informed
Sr. Kapili of this fact. And because the Americans could not get to
said place he ordered the woman to be beaten. And because a chief
(cabeza) called Ponso, a lieutenant of bolomen, was not able to bring
information in time regarding the Americans who left Abuyog, he also
received several blows and is at this moment in agony. The acts which
I have stated are the cause for discouragement in the town of Abuyog,
and if the conduct of the said officer is not stopped soon, the consequences
might be prejudicial to the cause we defend, although at the
present time the people are quiet due to the incessant advice of the
local Chief and the citizen Seņor Eulalio Porillo.
In spite of my orders, said officer did not report to me, nor did
he deign to answer the communication I sent him for the purpose; and
instead of doing so promptly in view of its importance, he left the
place where he was and took the road to Baybay, and afterwards the
road of Sogod, without my having seen him. By virtue hereof, and
having received information that the enemy would again make reconnoissances
in the mountains of Abuyog and Alimunangan, I returned
here without delay, for the purpose of taking the proper steps.
All of which I have the honor to inform you for the proper purposes
of justice.
God preserve you many years.
AUGUST 21, 1900.
(Signed) AGUSTIN BAŅEZ BELLO,
Lieutenant Colonel, 1st in command.