SECOND DISTRICT (BICOL).

[Headquarters Lucena, Tayabas; Col. H. H. BANDHOLTZ, commanding.]

This district comprises seven provinces, including various ethnographical elements, among which Bicols and Tagalos predominate. At the time of my last report part of this district (Albay Province alone) was keeping about 300 constabulary and nearly twice as many scouts most busily occupied in field work. After a vigorous campaign against the several leaders, having a combined strength of about 200 guns and 800 bolos, in which both scouts and constabulary under Colonel Bandholtz's efficient command rendered most satisfactory and difficult service, the province has been cleaned and agriculture and trade have resumed their normal activity. The following account of the Albay insurrection is taken wholly from Colonel Bandholtz's report dated December 15:

On June 30 nearly all the towns of this province were reconcentrated, and both the constabulary and scouts were actively and persistently engaged in operations against the ladrone bands of "Gen." Simeon Ola, “Col." Lazaro Toledo, “Lieut. Col." Tito Saculo, and "Lieut. Col." Agustin Saria. These different chiefs had with them a total of nearly 1,000 men, mostly armed with bolos and with about 150.firearms, according to our estimate.

On July 15 the first really important and decisive engagement took place in the town of Jovellar, which was garrisoned by a detachment of the Thirty-first Company, Philippine Scouts (Tagalos). On the day in question there was a detachment of only 25 scouts in the town, in charge of Sergt. Nicolas Napolis, when they were attacked by nearly all of Ola's force, including 60 guns and about 250 bolomen. The latter made a fierce and determined attack upon the scout cuartel, but were met by a most obstinate and gallant defense. Sergeant Napolis handled the situation skillfully. At one time, when his ammunition was nearly exhausted, he sent a few of his men to make a dash to an adjoining house, from which they returned with boxes of commissary supplies. The scouts then immediately called to the ladrones to come on, as they now had plenty of ammunition. This ruse caused the attackers to hesitate, and while they were hesitating they were struck in the rear by Lieutenant Sutherland with another detachment of about 25 scouts and Lieutenant Sommer with an equal force of constabulary. These reinforcements immediately turned the tables and drove the ladrones in a demoralized condition into the hills. They left behind them 15 dead on the field. According to their own subsequent accounts they lost about 20 killed and 30 wounded, among the latter being Hugo Palermo, who, with Toledo, was one of the few very aggressive ladrone leaders. Ola told me afterwards that the scouts taunted them throughout the attack, calling them cowards and daring them to come on. Sergeant Napolis and all of his companions deserve great credit for this gallant defense against overwhelming odds, and he has been recommended for a certificate of merit. During this engagement 1 scout was killed and 2 wounded.

On August 4 Sergeant Japon and 25 constabulary soldiers were attacked in camp by Ola's command, but were so well entrenched that they defeated their assailants, who left 15 dead on the field and withdrew, fearing the approach of other troops. Sergeant Japon again, with 30 men, on the 10th, struck Ola's band by surprise and killed 12. Ône constabulary soldier was wounded in the cheek in this engagement. Sergeant Japon was very soon afterwards promoted subinspector.

After the three engagements above mentioned it was impossible to force the ladrones into a fight. They were struck frequently by surprise, many killed, wounded, and captured.

I found upon my arrival in Albay Province a large force of native volunteers who had been armed with guns. While such auxiliaries have frequently rendered valuable assistance, and can sometimes be employed to a great advantage, I could not see that the volunteers of Albay had as yet accomplished anything. One company had expended more ammunition than all the constabulary and scouts put together, without obtaining results, and I therefore promptly disarmed them all, and learning afterwards that this was done just in time to prevent some of them practically turning their arms over to the ladrones, as had been done by the volunteers in the town of Oas during the month of February, when Ola succeeded in getting 47 Springfield

carbines through the treachery of the volunteers and residents of that town. Subsequently I gave a few guns to the volunteers of Jovellar and Albay as a reward for services rendered.

The seat of the trouble in Albay Province was in the section extending along the main road reaching from Albay to Libon, and which contained a population of nearly 150,000. Along this section I had about 750 troops for enforcing the reconcentration, and at the same time carrying on active operations against nearly 1,000 ladrones in the field.

After the Jovellar fight, taking advantage of the demoralized condition of the ladrones, I decreased the size of detachments in the field in order to increase the number of such detachments. By this means we so harassed the ladrones that they became discouraged and completely worn-out. As a result, the bolomen soon commenced to surrender in large numbers. At Guinobatan alone nearly 300 surrendered to Lieutenant Paegelow, Philippine Scouts.

We found from experience that the bolomen were more to be feared than the riflemen, as the thick hemp fields offered excellent opportunities for bolo rushes. In addition, the bolomen always served as the outposts, and after their surrender we struck the ladrones with more frequency and developments came more rapidly, as the riflemen were unable to stand the strain of such frequent movements with additional guard duty. When these ladrones surrendered they were in an emaciated condition, many of them covered with tropical ulcers. Some of them had ulcerated holes in their calves into which a man could thrust his fist.

In the latter part of September, Simeon Ola, with my knowledge and consent, entered into communication with the presidente of Guinobatan, and desired a conference. I permitted the presidente of Guinobatan, Don Ramon Santos, and Lieutenants Paegelow and Pyle to go to Ola's camp, giving them instructions that no armistice would be allowed and that nothing but unconditional surrender would be received, authorizing them to add, however, that none of the outlaws would be shot or hung on the plaza of the town immediately on arrival, but that they would be treated as prisoners until the court had decided as to their fate. As a result of this conference Ola accompanied the above-mentioned gentlemen into Guinobatan with all of the men and guns then with him. He turned over that date 33 firearms, which was the first large surrender that had been accomplished. In the beginning he wished an armistice of ten days to get his men together, but I had previously instructed my officers that nothing of the kind would be allowed, but that he should surrender with all the soldiers present with him and that he would be allowed to bring in the others subsequently.

The surrender of Ola was practically the end of ladronism in Albay Province, as by his example and influence the other leaders all came in within a month and gave themselves up with their soldiers and arms. Palermo surrendered to me at Ligao, Tito Savulo surrendered to the commanding officer at Polangui, and Toledo surren dered to me at Guinobatan.

This outbreak in Albay differed in many respects from that of any other province. Some of the ladron leaders, like Saria and Saculo, had always been ladrones and followed the bandit life for the love of it. Ola and some others were unquestionably driven to the hills by the persecutions of their local enemies and municipal officials, and their followers augmented so rapidly and they were so successful in the beginning that their heads were naturally turned. I wish to add, that from the day Ola surrendered he acted in the most honorable way on all occasions, and workeď sincerely and effectively in inducing and enforcing the surrender of the other outlaws. As to the reconcentration which was enforced in Albay Province, it was such only in name, without any pitiless shooting down of defenseless women and children and such other attendant horrors as are generally associated with the word reconcentration. There was no starvation, as all the people were given sufficient food for their needs provided they performed some work, and in case they were sick or helpless, the food was furnished gratuitously. With the few troops at my command it will be seen how impossible it would have been to have established cordons about any of the towns and at the same time have engaged in active operations. The object of the reconcentration was not to punish the people indiscriminately, but to deprive the ladrones of the means of subsistence in the interior, and to enable the troops to operate freely without fear of injuring innocent people.

Since June 30, in Albay, there were 36 engagements, resulting in the killing of about 200 ladrones and the capture or surrender of about 700 others, with 150 firearms. Agustin Saria, with 8 guns, is the only one still at large, and I feel sure that he will soon be captured.

As to the officers, both constabulary and scouts, on duty under me during these operations, I can not speak too highly of their energy, faithfulness, and success.

At this time the province of Albay is undoubtedly cleaner of ladrones than ever before in its history. However, it will be necessary to watch with great care in order that no small bands may gradually develop.

At this date, of the captured and surrendered bandits in the campaign, 140 have received long-term sentences, and two courts are still hearing Albay cases.

The extermination of Gasic and his band in Mindoro was accomplished by Lieutenant Holtman, Philippine Scouts, who struck his camp July 19, capturing 10 guns and killing 20 bandits, and by Lieutenant Gilsheuser and Subinspector Basa, both of the constabulary, who located his camp November 19 and captured him with most of his followers, 17 guns, and numerous bolos.

The killing of the bandit Bigote and several of his band by Lieutenant Kellermeyer leaves Sorsogon in a satisfactory state.

Tayabas is the largest province in the district, as well as in the archipelago; it is also, by reason of its topography, dimensions, and tendency in certain of its parts to fanaticism and ladronism, one of the most difficult in which to maintain order. The hanging of the bandit Pope" Reos, December 11, will not fail to have a good effect and moral influence on others having similar ambitions to those that actuated him. Until the recent incursions of Pablo Avila and his band from Ambos Camarines, Tayabas had been enjoying almost complete respite from organized ladronism. His success in securing arms by assault on the municipal police of the towns of Gumaca, Catanauan, and Ragay has given a renewed impulse to ladronism and encouraged him and his followers.

Avila's band and Saria with his 8 guns out in Albay represent practically the only robber organizations of present importance in the second district.

Colonel Bandholtz reports as follows:

During the period covered (from June 30 to December 15) by this report there have been about 50 engagements with ladrone bands, resulting in the capture of over 200 firearms, and in the killing of nearly 300 armed enemies of the Government, and the turning over to the courts for trial of about 1,000 others. I estimate that at the maximum there are not over 50 firearms of all classes still in the hands of the outlaws in the entire district, and I believe that the next six months will show a most material reduction in this number. Everything considered, the seven provinces of the second district are at this writing quieter than ever before in their history.

THIRD DISTRICT (VISAYAN).

[Headquarters, Iloilo, Iloilo, Lieut. Col. W. C. TAYLOR, commanding.]

This district, comprising the three Panay provinces, the two Negros provinces, Paragua, Samar, and Leyte, has been handled solely by constabulary. The results attained here have been highly satisfactory and there is not a single ladron leader of any prominence in any of the provinces, if "Pope" Isio, from whom nothing has been heard for months, be excepted.

Several fanatical pulajan bands have been exterminated since my last report, largely through the instrumentality of the aid and information given by the people to constabulary officers. With the exception of the province of Iloilo where carabao thieves are banded together and in some cases protected by people of influence, there is not a province in the district where efficient volunteers may not be secured to reenforce the constabulary whenever required. It will be

necessary to add a few more officers to the present force of that province as soon as they are available and also to establish a section of the information division there before conditions be satisfactory.

Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor deserves great credit for the generally satisfactory conditions obtaining in his district. The following is from his report dated December 15, 1903:

The past six months have been by far the most peaceful of any like period in the twenty months of my service in the third constabulary district. The period of lawlessness which always follows a state of war is at an end. Crime is no longer attributable to seditious or treasonable motives, but to the inborn characteristic of the native to prey upon his neighbor for gain, revenge, or love of adventure. As the higher crimes become less and the natives living under the influence of civilization seek to once more follow peaceful pursuits the savages appear again, as before the war, to prey upon the property and lives of the lowland people.

The trials, convictions, and hangings of the past few months for crimes committed during the year have been a great factor in hastening peaceful conditions and bringing doubtful people to the side of the Government. The element for peace, encouraged by beneficent laws and their impartial execution, is wonderfully strengthened, as shown by the increased assistance given the peace officers in ferreting out criminals and the interest taken in public schools established by the Government.

Twenty months ago armed insurrection or brigandage was flourishing in Samar, Leyte, Negros and Panay. Outbreaks occurred in Surigao and Cebu within a year. At this writing all insurrection with its aftermath of lawlessness has ceased and the brigandage which terrorized Negros and Panay is now confined to a very small section of the province of Iloilo. These thieves are now forced to live entirely in the mountains and have recently threatened towns across the mountains in Antique Province.

Other events worthy of note are Major Borseth's (Philippines constabulary) discovery of a new Pulajan movement in Leyte and the capture of the leaders; the murder of a number of people in western Capiz by savages from the mountains; the partial burning of the town of Córdoba, Iloilo Province, by a band of carabao thieves. The latter was caused by the refusal of one native to give up his carabao and his vigorous defense of his home. The thieves set fire to his house and others burned with it. The ordinary native house is worth about one-sixth the price of a carabao, and as this man saved his carabao in the confusion he is the gainer.

With the decadence of lawlessness, the constabulary can give more attention to the theoretical instruction of its members and the municipal police. The administration of the organization has improved wonderfully in the past six months but we yet have to complain of a lack of a sufficient number of qualified officers.

FOURTH DISTRICT (ILOCANO).

Headquarters, Vigan, I. S., Maj. J. S. GARWOOD, Commanding.

This district includes the three coast Ilocano provinces, the Cagayan River provinces, and the mountain provinces (Abra, Lepanto-Bontoc and Benguet) of north Luzon. While the dominant dialect is Ilocano, there are scores of others, including Tunguiane, Igorote, Calinga, Ibanag, Ifugoo, etc. One of the chief duties of the constabulary in this district is of an educational nature. An effort is being made to establish posts in the most remote important rancherías and gradually to enlist men, some of whom have rarely seen a white man, with a view to making them maintain order among themselves and by associating individuals of hostile headhunters in the constabulary ranks bring about peace between warring rancherías. The field is large and may require, depending upon the degree to which the measure is carried, considerable numbers of constabulary.

The renegade and bandit Vister, who led the disturbances in the Ilocano Provinces nearly a year ago, was recently run down and killed by the constabulary of Bataan.

The following is from Major Garwood's report, dated September 30, 1903:

Conditions in the district as to peace and tranquility are excellent. There is no band of armed ladrones at large in the district. Cattle thieving, however, is very common in some of the provinces, but it is being rapidly eradicated. State of the constabulary as to drill and efficiency good. Efficiency of officers also good.

The province of Cagayan is absolutely free from bands of armed ladrones, and indications would also denote it to be free from any plotting against the present established government, in spite of frequent long reports received from different sources to the contrary. There are, however, not a few people numbered among the "principale” class (even including, in some instances, municipal officials) who seem to have an organization perfected for the stealing and making away with horses, carabaos, and stock of all sort, which forms the principal possession of the masses all have the interior ranches and settlements. These high-toned ladrones, who residing in humble servants to do their bidding under cover of the night, have been making way with cattle, carabaos, and horses to an alarming extent during the past

year.

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As to the report of secret Katipunan and secret societies in the Cagayan Valley, I believe the only secret organization at present is a lodge of "entered apprentice masons,” working under a charter from the "Grand Orient of France.” They meet at regular intervals in Tuguegarao, but there are only a few members. This is simply the revival of an old lodge which existed during Spanish times, but which was suppressed by the Spanish Government in 1896. The "Grand Orient of France," grand lodge, is not recognized by the Masons of the world. The rites, however, are undoubtedly very nearly the same, and nearly all the Masonic lodges in the Philippines prior to American occupation originated from this grand lodge. It is not thought by the district chief that this small lodge of "entered apprentices" has any Katipunan adjunct or auxiliary. All societies of this sort are watched very closely by the constabulary.

The attitude of the "Calinga" tribes in the Cagayan Valley is very peculiar. They are a wild people, and desert their ranches at the approach of strangers. They are in open enmity with the Ilocanos and the inhabitants of the Cagayan Valley called "Ibanags." There is one ranch, Tubug, distant about 25 miles from Tuguegarao, which is the only "Calinga" settlement besides that of Baua which can be visited. The most serious disturbance in Ilocos Norte during the quarter was the attempted organization of a new Katipunan association in and around the town of Paoay by a native of Tarlac named Valentin Butardo. The existence of the society was disclosed by Gavino Omayang, lieutenant of the barrio of Piaz, of the pueblo of Paoay, who, on the 6th of July, informed Corporal Quintos, in charge of the constabulary detachment at Badoc, that such a society was organizing in Paoay. Corporal Quintos left for Paoay at once with 8 men, arriving there about 2 o'clock p. m., and he and his followers, together with the municipal police of the town, arrested in all about 60 members of the new association that afternoon. The senior inspector arrived at Paoay early the next morning, and from the 6th to the 25th of July, 161 members of this society were arrested by the constabulary and the police. Butardo, with a few of his most devoted followers, succeeded in escaping to the mountains where they were pursued by a force of constabulary, while other detachments, with the municipal police, watched the different adjoining towns. Butardo, however, and his 5 companions, tired of living without food, and being constantly pursued in the mountains, came in and surrendered at Paoay on the 15th. At that time only two other important men remained to be captured, and the capture of these two men was effected on the 25th. Among the papers captured were lists of the members of the society, bearing 176 names signed in blood. All members of the society had a scar on the right arm just below the elbow, being a slight incision made half an inch long, probably with a knife, dagger, or other sharp instrument, from which blood was taken from each man with which to sign his name. In the investigations made by Judge Wislezenus, who was at Laoag at that time, it was clearly shown that most of these men had been forced into the organization through threats of death, most of them being of the lowest workingman class. Of the 161, 107 were released by the judge and the remaining 54 were held for trial by the court of first instance. These men were tried by a special session of the court, which began August 20, 1903, with the result that 17 were convicted, receiving from one to seven years' sentences.

Conditions in Isabela are very good. There is no organized band of ladrones in the province. There is an American deserter, however, in hiding in the mountains. He was a trumpeter in the Sixteenth Infantry and was persuaded to desert by insurgent sympathizers in Echague. He is reported as being very young, little more