PROSPECTIVE.

Although the disturbances during the year have been frequent, especially in the Tagalog provinces, they have for the most part not been grave, the bands having been wanting in unity of action and cohesion. Trials and convictions have been speedy, and evil doers now recognize that the days of pardon and amnesty are gone.

There are still among the people certain influential ones who continue to seditiously agitate, but they have not yet been caught in acts cognizable by the law.

The firm stand taken by the Government toward criminals who pose as patriots, the consistent work of the courts, the field service of the constabulary and scouts, and the vigilance of the division of information have been effective in reducing vicious elements and in encouraging loyal ones interested in the prosperity and general welfare of the Philippines. This work continues unabated, and it may be truly said that since American occupation peace conditions have never been so real as at present, nor has the outlook for the future been so favorable. Very respectfully,

HENRY T. ALLEN,
Chief of Constabulary.

The Hon. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND POLICE,

Manila, P. I.

REPORT OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, PHILIPPINES CONSTABULARY, FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1903.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DISTRICT, PHILIPPINES CONSTABULARY,

Manila, July 1, 1903.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following annual report of operations and conditions for the 20 provinces composing the first district of the Philippines Constabulary for the year ending June 30, 1903:

I reported for duty with the constabulary February 13, 1903, having been appointed first assistant chief by the civil governor with the approval of the President on the preceding day. Under paragraph 3, Special Orders, No. 15, Headquarters Philippines Constabulary, I was assigned to command of the first district, embracing the 17 northern provinces of Luzon. On March 1 the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas were added to the district.

Having reported so late in the fiscal year, and not having been in touch with constabulary affairs, much of my report for the year from July 1 until February must embrace information taken from the records of the district, many of which I find incomplete in those details essential to itinerary of events and conditions. As an assistance in chronicling the more important events, I have called upon the senior inspectors of provinces to furnish a report pertaining to their respective provinces. In some cases the senior inspectors are new to their provinces and labor under the same disadvantage in rendering a report embracing the entire year.

On June 30, 1902, the conditions in general terms in the district were about as follows:

The provinces generally were free from ladrone bands, except Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales. Of those Cavite was in the worst shape. The people looked upon the constabulary with hatred and lost no opportunity to accuse its members of abuses. The population was in sympathy with the ladrones. There was scarcely a barrio in the province which did not have its representative in their ranks. In Rizal several bands were partially organized and had been leading the constabulary a merry chase. However, the principal band, under Timetao Pasay, operating near Morong, had been broken up. In southern Bulacan similar conditions prevailed. A band was also operating in Zambales. Batangas and Laguna

were quiet, having been recently whipped into absolute subjection by the military under General Bell. Every effort was being made to assist the two provinces to recuperate from the effects of the war, which had left them poverty stricken. The government was supplying the people, who were being encouraged to industry and the cultivation of their lands.

In Cagayan and Isabela the Calingas were the only disturbing element. They are savages, not outlaws. Political conditions in these two provinces were in a wretched condition. In Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Pampanga agitators were attempting to effect an organization.

In nearly all the provinces more or less carabao stealing was in vogue. In some places organized bands of thieves stole these animals, changed the brands, and through connivance with dishonest municipal officials procured a false registry of the animals. Cholera was prevalent in nearly all the provinces, and in most of them it amounted to an epidemic. Surra was playing havoc with the horses and rinderpest had left many sections so devoid of carabao that much land was left uncultivated. Locusts, in several of the provinces, promised fearful ravages on the growing crops. The organization of the constabulary had progressed well toward its present strength, and its work was by its efficiency proving the wisdom of its organization and maintenance. The records show that its varied duties were being performed with justice and intelligence. It will thus be seen that with the event of the fiscal year 1903 work for an extended period was cut out for the constabulary. The following pages contain a synopsis of the work accomplished in the several provinces by the constabulary during the year, without any attempt to enter into details, as it is not desired to make this report verbose beyond imparting a fair statement of events and a knowledge of present conditions.

Appended will be found a tabulated statement pertaining to strength, casualties, arms, etc., which is self-explanatory. The records of the previous year show incessant work on the part of constabulary officers to pacify disturbed districts and to prevent renewed disturbances. The total of arms captured, outlaws killed or captured, and stolen animals recovered was almost equal to same results accomplished during the fiscal year just closed. The same provinces which were free from disturbances during the former period have so continued with but few exceptions. In nearly all of the provinces where serious disturbances have occurred the Tagalog, with his faculty for intrigue and his rebellious spirit toward any organized government, is in evidence. The numerous changes of stations and inspectors in the several provinces during the year are not here itemized, as they are matters of record in the office of the constabulary adjutant.

ABRA.

Senior Inspector First Lieut. FRANK KNOLL.

Authorized strength, 100 men, distributed in 5 stations, with 5 inspectors. There have been 20 expeditions sent out during the year, covering 1,696 miles. There was but one engagement with ladrones, resulting in wounding 2.

The total number of ladrones captured by constabulary amounted to 72. Two Krag rifles and 1 shotgun captured by constabulary; 15 stolen horses and 3 carabaos have been recovered; 30 warrants were received and 27 executed; 68 persons were arrested without warrants. The only disaffected persons in the province of any prominence have been arrested and are now awaiting trial for highway robbery.

The constabulary made one expedition against ladrones into Ilocos Sur in November. Three murders were committed in the province in November. Seven of the men implicated have been captured. In January a band of ladrones made its appearance in the province. Five members of the band were captured. Again in May a similar band was organized. During an expedition from May 5 to 15 the leader and 54 members of the band were captured and the organization destroyed. The conditions in the province are good. The rice crop is short, but corn crop good. It is not believed that there are any disturbances to be expected in the province in the near future. The casualties during the year were:

Dishonorably discharged..

Discharged for disability

Died of cholera...

321

There are no military stations in the province. There are 25 constabulary ponies in this province. There are 4 telephone stations and no telegraph stations.

BATAAN.

Senior Inspector Capt. HENRY Knauber.

The authorized strength of this province is 125 men, occupying 4 stations with 5 officers. There were 66 expeditions during the year, aggregating 3,000 miles. Engagements 3, outlaws killed 3, wounded 1, captured 30. Arms captured-6 Remington rifles, 1 carbine, 4 revolvers, 1 cannon, 10 bolos, and 183 rounds of ammunition. Twenty-one warrants have been received and 16 executed; arrested without warrants 16, excluding outlaws.

The constabulary has sustained no loss in action, nor have there been any desertions. There are no military stations in the province, nor telegraph nor telephone stations. In the fall of 1902 small bands of ladrones under Gregorio Gonzales were terrorizing the people to a considerable extent. For several months the constabulary was kept busy hounding these bands, and in December the leader was killed and the band disorganized. The province remained quiet until May, 1903, when Tomas de Guzman was driven, with a few followers, out of Rizal Province. They took refuge in the mountains of Bataan, where they lived, but committed no depredations. A company of scouts was sent to that province from Caloocan early in June, and with the constabulary scouted the mountains for two weeks, but with no results. On June 27 De Guzman asked for an interview with the senior inspector. As a result he promised to surrender on or before July 1, unconditionally, with all his guns and followers. He did not keep his promise, but a few days later was captured with several of his men. He is now awaiting trial.

The present conditions in the province are very good. The municipal police are above the average, and the people of the province are ready and willing to assist in suppressing ladronism. The only exception is the town of Hermosa, where the police allowed a band of outlaws to disarm them in August. The police are armed with shotguns, which are practically worthless and should be replaced with Remington rifles. Bonds are being prepared with that in view. Agricultural conditions are bad. Following an epidemic of cholera last summer came the death of many ponies from surra. The majority of carabao had previously died from the ravages of rinderpest. The people were getting to work fairly well, but have again become discouraged, owing to the appearance of swarms of locusts, which have destroyed one crop and are now destroying the present one.

The senior inspector has, after consultation with the provincial authorities, taken steps toward compelling the entire population to turn out and unite in the work of exterminating them.

On the 20th of May a fire broke out in Balanga, the capital of the province, and destroyed upward of 75 houses. Nearly all constabulary records and furniture, including the personal effects of the senior inspector, were burned. Investigation proved that the fire was accidental.

There are no constabulary ponies in the province.

BATANGAS.

Senior Inspector Capt. BEN L. SMITH.

The authorized strength of the province is 225 men, with 7 stations and 9 officers. There were 18 expeditions during the year, aggregating 1,118 miles. Engagements, 14; outlaws killed, 21; wounded, 14; captured, 132. Constabulary killed, 1; wounded, 1. Arms captured, 18 Remington rifles, 1 Mauser, 4 Krags, 18 shotguns, 67 bolos, 32 revolvers, 2 sabers, 2 daggers, and 1 bamboo cannon. Arms lost, 4 Remington rifles, 2 shotguns, 1 carbine. Police wounded, 3; deserted, 3.

The police of the province are at present worthless. The governor has asked that they be placed under the constabulary.

Stolen animals recovered: Horses, 143; carabaos, 123. There have been no desertions from the constabulary.

This province has not yet recovered from the effects of the war, either financially or otherwise. A good deal of the deviltry and about all the fight was taken out of them during the last days of the insurrection. They were compelled to get off the fence, and they generally chose to accept cheap rice and American Government. In this way most of the ladrone element fell in line with the better class of people and so far have not returned to bandit life. A few, however, have joined the outlaws in Cavite, mostly those living along the border of the two provinces. The senior inspector has submitted a list of 10 who had taken the oath of allegiance but have since joined the fraternity of cutthroats under Montalon in Cavite. He also sub

mitted a list of 88 names who were insurgent officers in the province with marks as to their present status and bearing. The following are remarks opposite Malvar's name: Makes effort to help no one but himself and loses no opportunity to condemn anything American. He wields an enormous influence over the people of Santa Tomas, and often hampers the municipal authorities in the performance of their duties." The better class of people of the province discourage ladronism, and only those who tasted some authority during the insurrection can not go gracefully back to their former occupations as cooks, muchachos, etc.

There are no organized bands of ladrones in the province, but bands from Cavite occasionally raid into Batangas.

There have been numerous arrests of gamblers during the past year, aggregating more than 250. It is very difficult to convict this class of offenders before the courts, owing to the disinclination of witnesses to testify.

At a mass meeting held in Batangas in February of the present year a society was organized to discourage and prevent ladronism; funds were subscribed, and a man is employed by the various barrios whose duty it is to give immediate information of existence of ladrones. An interesting description was given me by the senior inspector of the use of a decoy carabao to identify a band of carabao thieves. The secret-service man sold a carabao to a suspicious character, and then watched it pass through the hands of three different owners until it was sold for 50 pesos to the leader of the band; as a result 11 out of the 15 were killed, and the remainder of the band, except 1, captured. The system in vogue generally lands the animal far from the scene of theft in one of the larger towns, where it is sold for a round sum. association above referred to seems to be doing successful work.

The

The senior inspector reports that his native inspectors have rendered excellent service in breaking up small bands and capturing outlaws.

Recently 13 men were captured in the vicinity of Talisay, who were collecting for Montalon in Cavite. The senior inspector reports that great interest is taken in school work in the province. The province is blessed with having a governor who takes much interest in his work, is loyal beyond question, and is ever ready to assist in any work looking to the advancement of his people and province.

The work of supplying the constabulary in the province has met with several setbacks, owing to the worthless supply officers sent there. Out of five that have been tried but one has been satisfactory; the others were drunkards, who were compelled to leave the constabulary service.

Agricultural interests in the province are much improved and most of the cultivated land is now being tilled. The government is still selling rice at a reduced price to the people. There is some apprehension that when this is stopped some ladronism may develop. However, it is not a matter of any serious moment.

BULACAN.

Senior Inspector Capt. Wм. W. WARREN.

The authorized strength of this province is 250 men. There are 7 inspectors occupying 5 stations in the province. There were 213 expeditions during the year, aggregating 3,610 miles. There were 13 engagements. Number of outlaws killed, 18; wounded, 9; captured, 233. Arms captured, 85 Remington rifles, 1 shotgun, 1 Krag, 8 Mausers, 1 Marlin rifle, 6 Springfield carbines, 28 revolvers, and 2,600 rounds of ammunition; 210 cavanes of rice, belonging to ladrones, captured; 25 stolen carabaos recovered; 54 warrants were issued and 26 executed. There were 180 arrests without warrant.

Casualties to constabulary were: Killed, 3; wounded, 3; captured, 7; deserted 7. Fifteen Springfield carbines, 1 shotgun, and 2 revolvers were lost.

Casualties of municipal police: Deserted 7; lost 11 Remingtons, 2 shotguns, and 13 revolvers.

The province is at the present time in better condition than it has been since the occupation of the islands by the American Government. A large number of outlaws have been sentenced by the court of first instance to long terms of confinement in Bilibid Prison. The outlaws of any prominence still at large in this province are Apolonio Sampson, Dalmacio Caambol, Nicolas Angeles, Pablo de los Santos, and Ciriaco Contreras. There are probably 15 persons still out with guns. These people are all in hiding and the most searching work of the constabulary has failed so far to locate or capture them. There are no longer any organized bands of ladrones in the province. The southern end of the province has, during most of the past year, been infested with organized bands of ladrones, while the northern portion has remained quiet. From November until May the constabulary was constantly in the field in pursuit of

these bands, also three companies of scouts, after they were assigned to duty with the civil government in February. There appears to be a marked difference in the disposition of the people in the northern and the southern part of the province. Those of the north appear to be contented, are prospering, and are instituting quite a number of industries. The people of the south, where ladronism has prevailed, are of a restless nature, ready at any time to fall into line and follow any agitator.

During the 1st day of July, 1902, and up to the 13th of that month, the constabulary of this province were in charge of the district of Novaliches, Rizal. During this time the constabulary was constantly on expedition against Faustino Guillermo and his band, which numbered at that time about 30 armed men. On June 13, 1902, the senior inspector was ordered with 2 officers and 100 enlisted men to proceed to Cavite Province, via Montalbon and San Mateo, to take part in a cordon formation and general round up after Felizardo. While on this expedition Faustino Guillermo entered the town of San José (Bulacan) and captured a small detachment of 15 constabulary. The senor inspector was directed to proceed from Muntinlupa, Rizal, to Novaliches, Rizal, there establish headquarters and begin operations from that point, taking in the entire surrounding country. Faustino Guillermo and his band were chased over that entire section of country from Manila to Ipo in mountains near Norzagaray, on the night of August 15, 1902. An engagement with Faustino resulted in three of his men being killed and 5 guns being captured. Constabulary lost 2 killed and 3 wounded; the senior inspector was also wounded. During the absence in hospital of the senior inspector the expedition was commanded by Lieutenant Crockett, Philippines Constabulary; during this period nothing of any great consequence took place. After September 1 the attention of the entire force of Constabulary of the province was directed to the southern part of the province, which was being invaded at that time by Faustino Guillermo and his band, which had grown in number to about 100 armed men. Besides the constabulary then operating in this part of the province, 75 volunteers were organized, 50 under Bonifacio Morales and 25 under Teodoro Donato; Morales was stationed at Santa Maria and Donato at Obando.

About this time Luciano San Miguel came into prominence, taking over and commanding the entire force of ladrones in the mountains, which by this time had grown to about 150 armed men, a great many of these arms having been taken from the municipal police forces of the surrounding country. The constabulary and volunteers had several engagements with this band. The ladrones would never stand for a fight unless they were superior in number. In January, and again early in February, 2 detachments of about 40 constabulary, the first under command of Captain Warren, and the second under command of Lieutenant Twilley, were, while scouting, attacked by large bands of ladrones numbering about 150, and in both cases the constabulary was compelled to retreat, the first after expending its ammunition, and the second was shipped and driven into Polo. About February 10 the volunteers commanded by Donato, stationed at Obando, deserted and joined the ladrone forces of San Miguel. Immediately afterwards Governor Tecson organized about 30 more volunteers, which were stationed at Meycauayan, making in all about 115 volunteers and 100 constabulary which were constantly on the move. Governor Tecson personally commanded his volunteers and did excellent work toward cleaning the province. In February the Philippine Scouts from Caloocan were directed to operate in conjunction with the constabulary in order to stamp out this band, which had grown to considerable size, and it was through the excellent work of the scouts, constabulary, and volunteers that this band was practically annihilated. All the principal chiefs except two, Contreras and Sampson, have been captured and killed. The majority of the men who were members of the band have been captured, killed, or have hidden their arms and left that section of the country. All of the arms which were taken out by the volunteers of Obando when they deserted have been recaptured, except three, and of the 25 men all have been captured or killed except 9. To-day there are no organized bands of ladrones in the province; in fact, there are not over 15 men of the province who are out in the mountains who are actually carrying arms, and these are not together; not more than 3 can be found in one place. The province to-day is in better condition as regards ladronism than it has ever been; while it is true that there are quite a number of arms still out, yet the majority of these are buried or have been thrown into the rivers, and it is only a question of time when all of these arms will be gathered in. Scarcely a week passes that a few are not captured by some organization in the province.

Since the organization of the constabulary in this province there have been captured by the constabulary, municipal police, and scouts all together about 600 arms of different kinds and a very large amount of ammunition. According to the best information obtainable I am led to believe that there are still out in the province quite a number of guns, probably upward of 50.