Arms and ammunition on hand in the first district Philippine Constabulary, June 30, 1903. NOTE.-This does not include arms in the hands of municipal police. Losses in officers and enlisted men of the first district, fiscal year ending June 30, 1903. Number of arms lost by constabulary and municipal police, and number and kinds of arms and ammunition captured and recovered by constabulary. Statement showing the number of engagements, outlaws killed, outlaws captured, animals stolen and recovered, and number of trials and approved convictions under Act 619, with total amount of fines and number of days' confinement, in first district, Philippine Constabulary, during fiscal year 1903. 348 422 65 1,266 5,320 | 106,595.36 2,109 109, 991 a Explanation.-This table is made up from total number of miles covered by all detachments. For example, one expedition may have a number of scouting detachments, and the aggregate number of miles covered by all is taken. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECOND DISTRICT, PHILIPPINES CONSTABULARY, FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1903, COL. H. H. BANDHOLTZ, U. S. ARMY, COMMANDING. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DISTRICT, PHILIPPINES CONSTABULARY, The ADJUTANT, PHILIPPINES CONSTABULARY, Manila. On June 30, 1903, the district consisted of the provinces of Albay, approximate population 242,000; Ambos Camarines, approximate population 233,000; Masbate, approximate population 44,171; Mindoro, approximate population 50,000; Romblon, approximate population 46,843; Sorsogon, approximate population 122,888, and Tayabas, approximate population 205,000; approximate population of district 943, 902; changes having taken place during the year as follows: Paragua was transferred from the third constabulary district, pursuant to Special orders, No. 102, Headquarters Philippine Constabulary, dated Manila, December 31, 1902; Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna were transferred from the second to the first constabulary district March 1, 1903, pursuant to paragraph 9, General orders, No. 15, Headquarters, Philippine Constabulary, dated Manila, February 12, 1903. In accordance with telegraphic instructions from the office of the chief of constabulary, dated Manila, June 19, 1903, the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna are not included in this report. The island of Mindoro was separated from the province of Marinduque and organized into the "province of Mindoro," and Marinduque and islands immediately adjacent thereto were annexed to the province of Tayabas, pursuant to acts of the Philippine Commission numbered 499 and 500, taking effect November 10, 1902. The island of Burias, province of Masbate, was placed under the jurisdiction of the senior inspector, constabulary of Sorsogon, so far as affected the constabulary, for the reason that Burias was more accessible from the latter. Maj. Jesse S. Garwod was relieved from, and Col. Harry H. Bandholtz assigned to, the command of the district pursuant to paragraph 2, General Orders, No. 28, Headquarters Philippines Constabulary, dated Manila, April 15, 1903. Capt. Justus M. Wheate, surgeon, Philippines Constabulary, was appointed and assigned as chief medical officer, second constabulary district, pursuant to General Orders, No. 2, Headquarters Philippines Constabulary, dated Manila, January 21, 1903. First Lieut. Edward R. Higgins, Philippines Constabulary, has served as district adjutant during the entire period. No other assignments or details of officers for general service have occurred. CONDITIONS JULY 1, 1903. Throughout the entire district conditions as to peace and indications of future prosperity were apparently excellent; a few small fadrone bands, remnants of the late insurrection and posing as insurgents, however, existed in several provinces. The following is a brief résumé of conditions on the above date in the various provinces of the district: Albay.-Simeon Ola (Bicol, native of Guinobatan, ex-major of insurgents, surrendered at Legaspi July 4, 1901, and returned to the hills as chief of bandits soon after), Augustin Saria (Tagalog, native of Cavite Province, ex-major of insurgents, never surrendered but remained in hills as chief of bandits), Lazaro Toledo (Tagalog, native of Cavite Province, ex-major of insurgents, surrendered at Legaspi July 6, 1901, returned to the hills in December, 1902), and Tito Saculo (Bicol, native of . Polangui, ex-lieutenant of insurgents, never surrendered, remained in hills under Augustin Saria), all formerly officers under the insurgent general, Vito Belarmino, in this province, formed the nucleus of the only armed band which existed at this date. Reports, presumably authentic, indicate that they possessed but few guns. Ambos Camarines.—No organized armed bandits existed at this date. Occasional depredations had been made, however, by ladrones from the adjoining provinces of Tayabas on the north and Albay on the south. The non-Christian tribes of Igorrotes, inhabiting Mounts Isarog and Irigam, who have been outlaws and brigands during the last twenty years of Spanish government, were at this date, and are now, peaceable and contented with the present administration. Marinduque.-No organized ladronism. Conditions excellent. Masbate.-The only ladrone band in this province was under one Melchor de la Cruz. Six members of this band have been captured, tried, and hung during the preceding year, which has had a most salutary effect upon the few remaining. They had no guns and were not active. Paragua.-No organized ladronism. Conditions excellent. Sorsogon. This province, so turbulent during the preceding year, had become almost entirely free from organized ladronism, owing to the energy and ability of the then senior inspector, Capt. Harvey P. Nevill, with the hearty and able cooperation of the provincial governor, Señor Bernardino Monreal, which resulted in the capture of Francisco de la Cruz, Isaac Gamao, Antonio Cañacho, Pablo Encanares, and Pablo Estipino, and the killing of Luis Breenie, all of whom were recognized leaders in the recent "anting-anting" uprisings, together with the capture of some 350 bolomen. On July 1, 1902, there were no organized ladrone bands who were carrying guns, although there were some small bands of bolomen. Tayabas.-This province has been to a certain extent in a state of turmoil and discontent almost continually, current reports to the contrary notwithstanding. However, conditions were comparatively good at the beginning of this fiscal year. The principal armed bands organized and operating were those of Rios, Destajo, Verastiqui, and Encarnación, with about 60 guns altogether. Rios and Destajo were operating in the vicinity of Mauban and Verastiqui and Encarnación in the eastern part of the province. CONDITIONS, OPERATIONS, AND EVENTS. Here follows, by provinces, a résumé of occurrences in the district covering the entire year, compiled from reports from provincial constabularies and such other data as are available at these headquarters: ALBAY. Reports would indicate that the province was more free of ladronism and lawlessness at this time than at any period since, although it was not without a considerable number of ladrone bands at this time. July 8.-A detachment of constabulary operating in the western part of the province was fired on during the night by a party of ladrones, the ladrone fire killing an occupant of a house near where the constabulary were camping. July 20.-A detachment of constabulary fired on while en route from Bantayan to Guinobatan by a party of ladrones lying in ambush; fire returned and ladrones retreated. No casualties on either side. August 11.-A band of ladrones, presumably under the command of Simeon Ola, entered the town of Oas about 7.30 p. m. and without resistance disarmed the municipal police, securing 4 shotguns, 3 revolvers, and a quantity of ammunition. August 14.-The crew of the steamship Dos Hermanos mutinied in the port of Virac, killing the first engineer, the major-domo, and the Chinese carpenter and wounding several other officers and passengers of the ship. Captain Fletcher, then in command of the garrison at Virac, hearing the commotion aboard the ship, took a small_boat and two men and went to investigate. On coming alongside the ship he found the mutinous crew in possession and the ship under way. He succeeded in boarding the ship, however, after killing 2 of the crew, and placed 34 of them under arrest. The boatswain and the quartermaster, who were the ringleaders in the affair, escaped by jumping overboard and made their way to the mainland. The quartermaster was later arrested by the municipal police of Malinao, but the boatswain is still at large. August 31.-A band of ladrones entered the town of Bacacay and indulged in considerable looting and robbery. A detachment of constabulary from Albay pursued them, but without result. September 5.-Corporal Japon had skirmish with Teofile Bobis's band at Mabatag; wounded 2 ladrones. September 7.-The quarantine guard at barrio of Buga, Libon, was attacked by some 30 ladrones under Hugo Palermo and Antonio Losmo. Fernando Shanks, a white American in charge of the guard, was killed. Three municipal policemen and 1 constabulary soldier were captured. The constabulary soldier escaped later. The ladrones secured 3 revolvers and 1 shotgun and a small amount of ammunition. September 12.-Corporal Retoma met detachment of Augustin's men near Malinao; captured 2; one of the captured men was wounded. September 14.-Private Japon had skirmish with Augustin in barrios of Comogon, Malinao; reports wounding Teofile Bobis, a lieutenant, and capturing 1 revolver and some ammunition. September 15.-Lieutenant McLean had skirmish with band of ladrones near Boraboran; no casualties on either side. Lieutenant Nery encountered ladrones same day, killing 2. September 16.-Lieutenant McLean encountered Teofile Bobis's band near Santo Mino; captured 2 of the band and 2 guns. On the night of the 17th of September a band of ladrones entered the town of Ligao and were met by the provincial police under command of Captain Reynolds, provincial treasurer, who happened to be in town at the time. Two ladrones were killed and 3 wounded. Captain Reynolds received wound from bolo thrust in hand. September 21.-A detachment of 11 constabulary scouting in the vicinity of Macabuges were attacked about 2 a. m. by a band of ladrones under Simeon Ola, numbering between 50 and 75, armed with guns and bolos. Two of the constabulary were wounded and 6 captured, the constabulary losing 7 Springfield carbines, 8 belts, and some 200 rounds of ammunition. Loss of ladrones, if any, unknown. Lieutenant McLean went in pursuit of this band; came up with them in the afternoon; killed 2 and captured 3 of them. The captured soldiers were later released. September 29.-A detachment of Albay constabulary captured Pedro Marsagonac, with 1 revolver, in the barrio of Gogon. Marsagonac was a ladrone leader of prominence. September 30.-Lieutenant Swann captured Juan and Rufino Futo, 2 notorious ladrone leaders of Sorsogon Province, with 1 Colt's revolver and some ammunition. October 16.—A band of some 30 ladrones armed with rifles and bolos, under Matias Bedar, attacked a party of 3 municipal police of Malinao and Libog who were conveying prisoners to Albay. One policeman was killed and 1 wounded. A detachment of constabulary from Albay came up with this band the next day and captured 2 of them. October 23.-Antonio Pininoy, a bandit leader, was captured near Ligao by citizens of the barrio. October 28.-Tito's band caught and whipped a native military lineman near Matacon and later robbed 3 citizens of Polangui near same place of a watch and small amount of money. Early this month negotiations were opened with Simeon Ola, chief of the ladrones in this province, with a view of inducing him to surrender. After many promises and conferences extending over a period of forty days, during which hostilities were suspended, Ola broke off negotiations and withdrew to the hills with his entire force and a large number of additional recruits that he had secured during this armistice. Mauricio Noga, a second-class private, constabulary of Albay, deserted and went to the ladrones, and is now supposed to be with some ladrone band near Polangui. November 18.-Truce with Simeon Ola declared off. November 20.--Lieutenant McLean killed 2 and captured 5 of Tito's men. November 22.-Sergeant Bactat encountered about 100 bandits under command of Augustin Saria at Sua, Tabaco; killed Commandante Rafael Aguilar and 6 men and captured 1 Mauser rifle. November 25.-Corporal Japon struck band of Roberto Batalla in Mount Malinao; killed 2, captured 1, 1 lieutenant and 4 men. November 26.-Captain Nevill struck Toledo's band, killing 2. Through correspondence captured in this camp he captured Col. José Hernandez in Daraga on 27th. Little was accomplished during the month of December, although several movements were made covering the country between Guinobatan, Ligao, Õas, and the west $ |