Prior to World War II

The Japanese became part of an alliance which included Germany and Italy in 1937 and it was quickly understood that a buildup of military forces was in the best interest of the Philippines. General Douglas MacArthur was drafted out of retirement and at his request the United States started pouring military equipment into the islands. MacArthur specifically wanted more airplanes especially the latest in the inventory. At first the United States government filled the requests but later on getting a priority in arms shipments was difficult.

Several months prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor a strategic policy was adopted with respect to the United States priority of effort. Should it be forced into war against the Axis powers of Germany and Italy and simultaneously find itself at war with Japan, where would the priorities fall? The policy was that the stronger European enemy would be defeated first.

Despite all efforts to prepare for war against Japan and speculate when the imminent attack would take place, American planes were on the ground ready to go when the enemy attacked the Philippines at Clark Field. Just as the Pacific fleet had been crippled at Pearl Harbor, the air defenses had also been timely attacked and neutralized.

The attack came in the Philippines just hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed but across the International dateline, December 8, 1941. The Japanese planes had taken off in Formosa and attacked Luzon and Mindanao. Enemy aircraft also attacked Guam and Wake Islands in the Pacific and before the day was ended the United States, Britain and the Australia declared war on Japan.

On the 9^th Japanese forces attacked Tarawa and Makin in the Gilbert Islands and landed troops on the northern tip of Luzon and the island of Camiguin in the Philippines and capture Guam. The coming days Japanese troops landed throughout the Philippines and for the most part were in control.

San Pablo City, Laguna

The citizenry of San Pablo City awoke to rumors that some parts of the Philippines had been bombed by Japanese planes. The streets were more crowded than usual and the stories were spreading like wildfires as every scrambled to confirm the news. The marketplace was also full as everyone hurried to buy the necessities in case a sudden attack would take place. Others were at their home digging trenches anticipating air strikes by the enemy. Despite the gossip all had faith and confidence that America would defeat the Japanese easily.

Residents of San Pablo flocked to the town hall to volunteer as air-raid wardens and it was decided that that night the community would observe a total blackout for the coming days as a precaution. The air-raid wardens and volunteer guards passed by during the night to insure the regulations were strictly observed. The wardens and guards wore armbands identifying their authority.

Refugees began to arrive from Manila and Cavite with frightening stories of their own. Fearing the worst many families started fleeing to the more remote locations and mountain villages. Carabao carts were filled with only the necessities and enough chickens and pigs to feed them for a week or two at best. Many of the inhabitants still made the trip to town to gather fresh news.

Transportation by bus and train slowed to a trickle but the telegraph service became busier, filled with more stories, rumors and hearsay. More and more Japanese planes filled the air and American and Filipino tanks and trucks filled with troops moved through San Pablo adjusting their strategies. The Japanese offensive was fierce and raging and the news triggered even more of the citizenry to move to the mountains.

Christmas Day 1941

The roar of enemy planes caused good reason for panic and in a moment’s time bombs hit San Pablo. Houses exploded and fires burned everywhere and the town was a hell for everyone who did not flee earlier. Many were dead and hundreds were wounded. Everyone was terrified and a pilgrimage continued to the mountain villages that were already full. Even the smallest children filled their arms with clothes and belongings as they made their way to safety.

On December 27^th families to the south were awakened by machinegun fire that lasted for hours. Canons and booming came nearer and nearer and more frequent. On the 28^th the USAFFE were in San Pablo to resist the enemy fire and huge tanks lined the streets from the Roman Catholic Church down to the cemetery and the railroad tracks. Many of the larger houses were converted to pill-boxes and machinegun nests.

The Japanese troops drove into San Pablo City December 30^th as the USAFFE made a sudden retreat. They only found a few inhabitants and were disgusted to the point within the week. Many ignored the order because their homes were already destroyed and what more could they lose?

By January 5, 1942, an estimated 80,000 U.S. and Filipino troops had successfully completed their withdrawal to the Bataan Peninsula, along with 26,000 civilians. Food supplies were only sufficient enough to sustain 43,000 men for six months.

Life was tough in the mountains and food was scarce. The hills just did not yield enough root crops, wild fruit and green vegetables. The fish in the mountain streams were also in short supply. There were just too many trying to hide in the hills but everyone kept the faith because they felt assured that help was coming soon. There were plenty of wild rumors but there was no evidence of help coming to the rescue.

Battles raged on at Bataan and Corregidor and the fight was wearisome for all combatants. Tales came telling how artillery and bombs were flying yet somehow the Filipinos and Americans were still holding out in spite of the low supplies.

Some of the villagers hiding in the mountains had the courage to wander in San Pablo for a few supplies. The townsfolk who lived near the schoolhouses where the Japanese soldiers were quartered spoke of knowing when the troops were going to Bataan and Corregidor because they cried as the departed. Many of the soldiers tossed their military uniforms aside and changed to civilian clothes and tried to blend in the townsfolk rather than return to Bataan.

President Quezon of the Philippines proposed to President Roosevelt February 3rd that the Philippines should be granted total independence from the USA so that it could declare itself neutral, but Roosevelt dismisses this idea. General MacArthur warns Roosevelt also warned that the Bataan garrison had suffered over 50 per cent casualties and it was 'near done'. MacArthur was given permission by Roosevelt to surrender Filipino, but not US troops who were to fight until the end.

General MacArthur left Corregidor and the Philippines for Australia March 11, 1942, after being ordered to assume command of the new South-West Pacific area, which in effect meant all Allied forces in the Pacific. MacArthur's last words before leaving were "I shall return!” General M. Wainwright took over command of the Philippines. President Quezon and the Philippine Government abandoned their offices soon after, they too bound for Australia.

Filipino and American Troops Surrender at Bataan

After 4 days of desperate fighting on Bataan, the Japanese managed to penetrate 4 miles in to the U.S.-Filipino lines April 7th, bringing General Wainwright's forces to the brink of collapse. April 9^th U.S. and Filipino forces on Bataan Peninsula surrendered. General Jonathan Wainwright and 78,000 troops were captured, including 12,000 Americans, but 2,000 escape to Corregidor.

Due to a shortage of trucks the Bataan Death March began April 10^th at Mariveles on the southern coast of Bataan to Cabanatuan, San Fernando and Camp O’Donnell. 78,000 American and Filipino Prisoners of War of the Japanese were bound, beaten, or killed by their captors as they walked over 100 kilometers through intense heat with almost no food or water. Some were bayoneted when they fell from exhaustion while others were forced to dig their own graves and were buried alive. Only 56,000 prisoners reached camp alive. Thousands of them died later from malnutrition and disease. General Wainwright surrendered Corregidor to the Japanese, along with 15,000 prisoners May 7th.

The sad news of the surrender reached San Pablo in short time and families discussed returning to their homes. Sooner or later the Japanese soldiers were going to have to be encountered. As time passed families began to return.

The inhabitants out of necessity needed to make trips to Manila from time to time. In order to travel a pass had to be obtained from the Japanese garrison at Banahaw Compound. The compound was located west on Rizal Avenue just across the railroad on the south side. The trip to visit the Japanese soldiers there was a dreaded occasion. Trips before the war took about two hours to reach the corporate limits. Now a trip on an overcrowded bus usually bottlenecked with roadblocks and inspections by native police and Japanese sentries would take six hours.

Along the route starving American prisoners could be seen working on bridges or doing road repairs. Filipinos cautiously tossed fruit or rice cake to the men but not without risking injury or life. Even flashing a victory fine to the men would bring a beating to the signalman.

First POW’s Arrive at San Pablo

Independence Day 1942 didn’t seem so special with war raging in the Pacific. There was very little reason to celebrate but a sizeable crowd gathered at the San Pablo train station to greet the first batch of sick and wounded Filipino soldiers released from the prisoner of war camp at Capas, Tarlac. The somber throng was quiet and clutched food and first aid boxes anticipating what the rumors had informed.

Shortly after 7:00 a.m. the train approached and the anxious crowd glued their eyes to the long line of rolling coaches. Local historian, the late Juan Hernandez was in the crowd and described the scene as the prisoners arrived.

The whistle was heard first then the rumbling of wheels. The crowd in the station suddenly became alive. In a moment a long chain of freight cars filled with the seemingly dregs of humanity passed sight of family and friends. They who had seen and recognized the objects of their search followed the particular car where they were, bumping against the others still looking for theirs. The barely opened doors of the freight cars swelled with unearthly faces, weakly waving emancipated hands and hollow voices calling familiar names of folks long missed.

The long train stopped and out of the freight cars poured the most ghastly sight I had seen in all my life. Big bulging eyes, pale dark and gnome-like faces; dirty shaven head; skeleton arms that dangled so frailly; youth once alive and gay now hideously deformed by wounds and disease; youth broken ion body, walking with empty brain; the sight of them was sad enough but sadder still was their meeting with loved ones on that inglorious Fourth of July!

A mother failing to recognize her son from among the unearthly crowd was about to weep when she was hugged by a grotesque-like figure of a man. She would have screamed in fright, but when she heard the familiar voice whisper “Mother,” she wept with an insane kind of joy.

A father descended the freight car with a helpless mass of wretched form in his arms. He walked straight ahead, empty-faced and seemingly seeing nothing. He walked on as if in resigned oblation to an unseen being, while two women trailed sobbingly behind. The son died on the way with the glory of Fourth of July on his lips.

A sick one limping and wearied to the bones looked around searchingly for kin or friend to welcome him but they appeared to be nowhere. Anguished perhaps by the thought of it, he rested his weak body in a corner and quietly wept. Agony plagued the populous and a realization of the Japanese Occupation painfully set in.

Guerrilla Units Form to Rebel Against Japanese Occupation

The realization brought further discontent and guerrilla units started forming throughout the country. One such unit was the Hugh Straughn’s Fil-American Irregular Troops (Fait). The death of Col. Straughn elevated Col. Marcos V. Marking to the lead roll and the new banner of Marking’s Fil-Americans.

Twenty-six year old Gertrudo San Pedro of Barrio Santa Isabel started organizing his own guerrilla outfit attached to the Hugh Straughn unit upon his release as a prisoner of war at Capas, Tarlac August 15, 1942. He had been a part of the USAFFE (United States Army Forces Far East), and without delay started recruiting ex-USAFFE’s, ex-Philippine Scouts, ex-Constabulary, army reservists and trainees, and civilian volunteers including professionals to fill the ranks. His unit focused ambitiously on:

1) sending intelligence to MacArthur’s headquarters in Australia thru higher command.

2) promoting understanding among guerrillas that unification would defeat the enemy.

3) harassing and ambush enemy troops whenever the opportunity presented itself.

4) obstructing the Japanese economic successes locally.
5) counteracting enemy propaganda and gain confidence in the local populace

The responsibilities were distributed among the members gathering information on:

1) exact locations of enemy garrisons and installations.
2) concentration of enemy troops, their strength and movements.
3) activities of enemy-controlled business and industrial concerns.
4) operational plans, tactics and strategies.
5) atrocities, tortures and massacres the enemy engaged in.
6) gather maps, sketches, documents and papers of military significance.

A few months later a coconut farmer from Barrio San Crispin (Lumbangan), Pedro Perez, started developing his own guerrilla unit under the wing of President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas (PQOG). Another man building a guerrilla unit was Juan Eseo, alias Kayakas from Barrio Ludlod (Santiago II). Local collaborators were plentiful and guerrilla operations had to be very secretive.

Werner Schetelig

The families returning from the mountains were hungry and had many sicknesses due to hiding in the remote area. San Pablo businessman Werner Schetelig had been generous with his charities already helping the community get back on its feet. He immediately requested permission to operate his oil and soap factory. The Japanese approved the request and he quickly informed the townspeople he was ready to buy their coconuts once again. This brought great joy to everyone since they depended largely on their coconuts to make a living. Within a few days the coconut growers and the industries they affected sprang new life. The factory’s resumption of operations not only brought new life to San Pablo but also the neighboring towns.

Schetelig transformed his office into a charity nook and listened compassionately to the woeful tales of misery. The generous man gave thousands of pesos daily to feed, clothe and shelter those desperately in need. He regularly rode his bicycle around town inquiring about his contributions to insure they were far-reaching. His name became a household name to Filipinos whether in the smallest bungalow or the great mansions on the plaza.

Guerrilla forces were now beaming with pride from early accomplishments and the “Bamboo Grapevine” had been established. The Bamboo Grapevine was a network of native personnel working as low-level intelligence agents who reported their information by means of jungle runners.

The townspeople had learned of the U.S. landing on the Solomon Islands in August of 1942, and how they quickly advanced and took Henderson Field. Two weeks later the first wave of Japanese reinforcements was wiped out by U.S. forces as they tried to land on Guadalcanal and the successes in the skies in September were overwhelming. The information kept the U.S. Intelligence well informed and the successes of the Allied operations finding its way back to the town continued to offer confidence to the locals and the rumors discouraged the Occupation Forces.

Even though the town was still in shock from the Japanese Invasion, they were prideful an
d began to rise above the lows they had experienced. Although 1942 had come and gone with no evidence of progress in regaining the freedoms they had lost, they still kept faith that someday the Occupation would end.

Ludlod & Juan Kayakas Hideout Attacked

The peaceful village of Ludlod awakened suddenly to rapid gunfire one day in 1943. Japanese kempetai paid an uninvited visit to Colonel Juan Kayakas and his band of Filipino guerrillas at their hillside hideout. Ludlod was located near the mountain range at the end of the village road that passed through San Miguel. Most of the guerrillas escaped but some were killed. The kempetai suffered casualties too and this infuriated them. Hillside huts were burned and the occupants were shot and bayoneted.

The kempetai descended into Ludlod with vengeance and ordered all of the occupants to assemble on the village road. They made it perfectly clear proclaiming that the villagers were no good because they protected and fed the guerrillas and did not report their activities. The bad villagers must be punished!

The villagers were kept amass in the hot sun at that morning hour until late in the afternoon without food. Children who cried of hunger were kicked and those that offered stares were beaten by the butts of their guns. Kempetai soldiers entered every dwelling in the hamlet and burned each hut that had any resemblance of stockpiles, believing they were supplies for the guerrillas. The kempetai shot every animal in sight and made vulgar and lusty overtures at the young ladies of Ludlod.

Several men of the village that looked suspicious were selected to accompany the kempetai as they departed. They were accused of non-cooperation and failure to report the guerrillas to the kempetai.

As they reached the banks of the Matanag stream some were instructed to dig their own grave, a large mass pit. They were bayoneted and pushed into the pit while others looked on in grief. In their mourning, the survivors poured the soil onto their fellow villagers and family members.

The remaining villagers were kept for weeks in the kempetai garrison and only a few ever returned to Ludlod. The ones that returned were badly maimed and all had the same sorrowful story to divulge. The tyranny and tortures brought an immense hunger for revenge and further united the guerrilla units and Filipinos across the country. If ever the Philippines would be free again, it would not be in the hands of the enemy.

Cowardice collaborators found comfort with the kempetai to save their own skin, betraying their families, neighbors and fellow countrymen. The informers would wear masking scarves to hide their identity as they walked along line-ups of townspeople pointing out guerrillas and those working as partners with guerrilla units. The disguises did not hide their identity and sooner or later the traitors found themselves facing death in the eyes of a neighbor or guerrilla. The turncoats were hated perhaps more than the heartless kempetai soldiers.

On August 8, 1943, at two o’clock in the afternoon, a truckload of Japanese soldiers rounded up more than a thousand and took them to neighboring Delores for imprisonment. It took the soldiers until 1:00 am the following day to take them all into custody. As the soldiers carried out their orders, townsmen and kin of those apprehended formed an endless procession to the police station to see Police Chief Cristeto Brion and to the house of Mayor Manuel Quisumbing hoping they had the power to intercede. Delores was in a state of zona. The word zona was coined by the Filipinos referring to the form of mass punishment practiced by the Japanese Imperial Forces when they imprisoned those considered not to be cooperating with them.

Zona was carried out by arresting all male inhabitants of the town from fifteen years of age and up, confining them in a schoolhouse or church. The action usually took place before dawn so only a few lucky ones could escape. During the detention the townsmen were under heavy guard and often were without food for days. Toilet breaks and talking among themselves was seldom allowed. At times they were marched exposed to the sun or rain while mothers, wives and children looked on helplessly from a distance holding baskets of food in hope of delivering them.

The sleepless days and hunger of zona were too much for the frail and many died. The weak in spirit became mentally deranged which brought further torture. Some of the more bold prisoners rushed the gates or attacked the guards only to be shot or bayoneted. Most of the prisoners endured just to return to their families.

After about a week or more of forced fasting some masked informers would come in and the weakened prisoners were required to pass in a line before them. Woe to him upon the fingers of an informer might rest; he was doomed. Those who were pointed at by the filthy fingers of a masked informer were separated immediately and taken somewhere. Many never returned. The few who returned were maimed and sickly; some never recovered. Those that were not selected were sent home after receiving frightening counsels never to be guerrillas but to live peaceful lives.

Bamboo Spear Parades and Allegiance to Kempetai

The Japanese had become serious about putting an end to guerrilla activity and the townsfolk knew they were almost through with the mountain towns in Laguna and Tayabas and were concentrating on Delores and Tiaong. San Pablo would be next.

The local garrison had been reinforced to prepare for zona and collaborators were jubilant. They could now point their crooked fingers at those that had been enemies prior to the war. On August 10^th and San Pablo awakened to a most unwelcome news. Four villages of San Pablo were in a state of zona. At four o’clock in the morning the men folk of the villages of Santa Isabel, Concepcion, San Diego and Santo Angel were forcibly roused and rounded up by the Japanese soldiers and herded to the village schoolhouse. The town was in a state of panic.

The mayor and Chief of Police immediately conferred with Captain Yamaguti of the kempetai now comfortably in the Escudero Mansion on Rizal Avenue. They promised him that loyalty would be shown the next day by a big parade in his honor. To pledge further each would carry a bamboo spear swearing to use it against bandits and guerrillas alike, those who might disturb the peace of their homes.

After the meeting with the kempetai the Chief of Police sent a notice to all barrio lieutenants telling them about the promise in hopes of avoiding zona. The next day 12,000 men, each with bamboo spear, gathered in if front of town hall all ready to march in a loyalty parade and to shout “Banzai!” The men came prepared for the worst as they stuffed their pockets with food parcels to prevent starvation in case they were zonified. This was the biggest gathering in San Pablo history.

Speeches were presented by politicians of pre-war days and followed by Captain Okada who was in charge of the zona in four villages and Captain Yamaguti, the new chief of the kempetai in town. The Filipino speakers spoke of peace and prayed that zona would not be instituted in San Pablo. The Japanese speakers spoke of peace and emphasized that guerrilla activities had been the cause of all the troubles. Those parading were disappointed not to hear an assuring hint that the town would not be zonified. After the gathering all were allowed to return to their homes. At least for the moment there was no zona.

Hardly a week had passed when the kempetai started apprehending the townsmen suspected as leaders of the local underground movement. Many were tortured into confessing and when word spread, many moved into the mountains once again. In the next few days there was an indication that the kempetai had changed their procedures. After signing an oath of surrender the men were freed, with an understanding that they would help in the peaceful surrender of their comrades. Their organization was known as the Pacification Drive Committee. After three days efforts were able to bring over 500 in for surrender.

Yamaguti quickly reacted by jokingly remarking, “These men could not have been guerrillas since they had no weapons to fight.” He instructed the committee to insure that 600 firearms were surrendered. The guerrillas were not fighting guerrillas; their responsibilities were to supply food and information. Nonetheless 600 weapons were gathered throughout the region, Captain Yamaguti was pleased and San Pablo was saved from zona.

A week went by and suddenly San Pablo was infiltrated with hundreds of troops from the regular Japanese army. The townsfolk became alarmed again and the Chief of Police and Mayor were summoned again. They met with Yamaguti and he apologized telling that San Pablo was now declared part of the war zone and the army would preside over the kempetai. Again it was thought that a large parade of loyalty would convince the Japanese not to bring a status of zona to San Pablo.

This time 20,000 men marched with bamboo spears and the crowds listened to more allegiance and peace declarations by the local committee. Colonel Yoshioka, the commander of the regular army units, was present this time and all of the Japanese greeted the gathering coldly. Once again those in the parade were allowed to return home but the committee was told they were not trusted and that there were more guerrillas that had not surrendered their firearms and he wanted more immediately. A few days later the committee returned with only a few rusty firearms and the men were yelled at, kicked and slapped for their poor efforts but there was no zona.

Independence

October 14, 1943 was suppose to be an independence granted to the Philippines and through the kindness of the Emperor of the Rising Sun. Filipinos supposedly were to welcome the day in celebration with open-arms to their captors. Women wore native costumes and the men clutched their bamboo spears. Kempetai and Japanese forces were present with their usual speeches and the evil eye searching to see who attended and who did not, noting the villages that were participating full-heartedly. There were floats, helmets of coconut leaves and even the flag of the Philippines was released from captivity.

Those that never trusted the invaders claimed it was but another political ploy to bring Filipinos against the Americans. Others considered the act an attempt to avoid the humiliation of not being able to hold on to the fruit of their conquest. The Americans and Allied Forces were defeating the Japanese as they fought island to island in the Southwest Pacific pushing the Japanese to an eventual showdown in the Philippines. Even a pullout was possible, sidestepping an inevitable onslaught. MacArthur had vowed to return and the tides of war were changing. During these times the collaborators, cheats, profiteers, scamps and scalawags too advantage and made good use of their filthy lives. They cheated more and enriched themselves as fast and crookedly as possible. The guerrillas had been laying low but now their work had increased and their missing was full-scale. The collaborators were quietly sought and eventually brought to justice on guerrilla terms. The guerrillas continued to be hunted by the Japanese but they secretly harassed and spied on the enemy at every opportunity.

Sounds of War Return

The Marianas, Guam, New Britain, Gilbert Islands, Tarawa, New Guinea, Solomons, Palau, Wake Island were all in control of Allied Forces and it was only a matter of time before the war returned to the Philippines. As anxious as everyone was for a true liberation, they braced themselves for the days that were ahead.

Finally about 10 o’clock in the morning, September 21, 1944, San Pablo began to hear the sounds of falling bombs. Nervousness was evident in the behavior of the enemy and the gladness in the townsfolk could not be hidden.

American Forces hit Manila with vengeance as Task Force 38 and twelve navy carrier planes conducted air strikes on Japanese targets on Luzon particularly Manila, Manila Bay, Subic Bay, Clark Field and Nichols Field. Japanese shipping was abruptly interrupted and many ships sunk. Enemy air forces scrambled to other location in the Southwest Pacific and within days U.S. fighters and bombers controlled the skies.

Villagers paused often to chat with neighbors and friends pondering when peace might come to the islands. Every morning till afternoon each would listen for the sound of the bombings and finally friendly planes were flying overhead. Many climbed the nearby peaks to gain a better vantage point while others climbed in trees or climbed to rooftops. Many shouted with happiness and the older folks feared the entire village would be punished.

While the Americans were conducting air-raids on various military objectives, the Japanese soldiers were also raiding the hogs and chickens throughout the villages. They came to the hamlets with large bags, force themselves into the stores or huts and grab everything edible.

MacArthur Returns

Rumors were heard in town about landings in Leyte. The gossip was followed by tales of ships sinking, transports afire and the unsuccessful attempt. After awhile the truth of operations was learned. U.S. Rangers had landed on islands in Leyte Gulf October 16, 1944, and despite heavy resistance 60,000 went ashore October 20th. Moments after the initial landing, General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore in dramatic fashion fulfilling the promise to Filipinos that he would return.

Three days later the naval Battle of Leyte Gulf raged. The Japanese navy lost four carriers, three battleships, six heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, eleven destroyers, one submarine and 500 planes. Approximately 10,000 Japanese soldiers had died and in desperation used a new form of warfare, the Kamikaze suicide plane. The planes would crash purposely at strategic locations on the ships and boats. The bridge and the launch areas were primary. At the same time U.S. planes continued to hit Manila destroying hundreds of planes daily.

On December 17^th U.S. troops captured an airbase at San Jose, Mindoro. This enabled American Forces to establish bases and airfields for close support for a planned Luzon landing. The airstrip was completed in five days. By December 24^th Leyte was secure. The local Tribune confirmed these actions before Christmas and everyone was thankful.

On about December 22^nd or 23^rd, Christmas cards were dropped from airplanes to the Filipinos in the San Pablo area. The greeting said, “The Commander-in-Chief, the officers and men of the American Forces of Liberation in the Pacific wish their gallant allies, the People of the Philippines all the blessings of Christmas and the realization of their fervent hopes for the New Year. Christmas 1944.”

Japanese Positions in San Pablo Bombed

Christmas had been a happy one and all faith for the future had been restored. More and more Japanese troops were moving in trucks to the south, perhaps to reinforce troops elsewhere or maybe to be transported to the mainland of Japan to reinforce defenses there. No doubt the Japanese homeland would be attacked if the war continued as it was.

January 1, 1945, American planes bombed San Pablo hitting the cathedral, schools and civil buildings. Japanese troops had taken up refuge there for safekeeping. Thanks to precise intelligence provided by the local guerrilla units, the exact location of the enemy was learned and bombed.

Japanese soldiers became more cruel and bolder. Allied planes dropped more leaflets. The latest was a colorful handbill with the heading “MacArthur Returns”. The other was a proclamation by the new leader, President Osmena. The decree was an eloquent call to every Filipino to do his utmost so that the liberator’s burden of battle might be lightened.

The Japanese received their proclamation too and were mad as heck, as expected. The end was foreseeable and the enemy burned the neighboring towns of Calauan, Bay, Santo Tomas and Tanauan massacring the inhabitants. Guerrillas attacked their efforts but sadly reinforcements cause them to be forced back into the mountains.

U.S. troops landed 100,000 men at Lingayen Gulf in the largest single day operation of the Pacific endeavor. Supported by 5^th Air Force, marine aircraft and naval aircraft, the 6^th Army pushed inland. Resistance was light. Japanese troops had anticipated the landing and had pulled back into the higher elevations near Baguio and the Zambales Mountains. Troops captured Clark Field on January 24^th.

Guerrilla Operations with American Forces

During these days of liberation meticulous intelligence again was gathered by Filipino guerrilla units and the contributions were immeasurable in the historic raids. Rescuing prisoners of war was especially difficult and any hint of the operations would afford the Japanese an opportunity to kill them all. Major efforts enabled the joint operations to rescue over 500 American POW’s from the Cabanatuan camp January 30, 1945. Guerrillas played major roles in securing the bridge at Cabu and the route from Cabanatuan as U.S. Army 6^th Rangers pulled off the raid. These prisoners were the sickly survivors of Bataan, Corregidor and the Bataan Death March. It was extremely significant to liberate these men. Thousands of other POW’s that were originally at Cabanatuan and Camp O’Donnell had been transported to Japan to utilize in slave labor.

In a night raid the U.S. 1^st Cavalry and guerrilla units captured Santo Tomas University and rescued over 3,700 American and Allied civilians. Three days later the 37^th Division and Filipino guerrillas freed over 1,000 from Bilibid prison. February 23, 1945, in a lightning fast raid, San Pedro’s guerrillas of San Pablo participated in the liberation of 2,146 American and Allied civilian internees in the Los Baños area assisting paratroopers of the 511^th Parachute Infantry. All total 243 Japanese were killed and just two U.S. servicemen were killed.

Japs Issue Orders to Inhabitants

The bombings and recent burning of nearby towns sent an exodus of refugees to the mountains once again. Japanese military commanders threatened to burn the town if the inhabitants did not return to the city. Most everyone was skeptical of their intentions and besides, if all inhabitants were in town that made it much easier for a roundup for a wholesale slaughter. Yet if the ones living in the mountains did not leave their homes they would be hunted just as the guerrillas.

Late one night a rumor came about that the Japs would come shortly before dawn to burn the villages in the mountains and massacre everyone they could find. Shortly after midnight sporadic reports of machine-gun fire punctuated with loud detonations and exploding grenades from the direction of town could be heard.

American Forces were already in Calamba and Los Baños and liberating planes were more and more active near San Pablo. The Japs were taking more of the men from the town away for jobs and many did not return. More and more foodstuff was being taken from the hands of hungry Filipinos. The Japs knew the Americans were very near and had known long ago that the Filipinos would never trust them. Of the 50,000 inhabitants only a few now remained.

One morning an order was given that all male inhabitants from 15 years up must assemble inside the town church to discuss ways of preserving peace and order. Whoever would not follow would be considered a guerrilla. At that moment many of the males took to the mountains for shelter. About 600 Chinese and 200 Filipinos assembled and were picked up for apparent work in military installations out of town. Most were never heard from again and the few that managed to escape in spite of their many bayonet wounds, had gruesome stories to tell.

Meanwhile in other advances, paratroopers had landed on Corregidor and cleared the Japs. By February 17^th the entire Bataan Peninsula had been recaptured and the Commonwealth of Government of the Philippines was ceremonially reinstalled at Malacanan Palace. Manila was finally cleared of Japanese troops who in defending the city caused incalculable devastation.

Early in the morning on March 8, 1945 an order was issued that all inhabitants must leave town no later than seven in the evening. Whoever that was found in town after that would be considered a guerrilla. Also in the order it was recommended that all remaining occupants should go to Butokan or Bulaho since they were the only villages declared as safety zones by the Japanese. All others would be considered guerrillas and shot on sight. Refugees flooded the areas said to be safe.

At first most took the order with happy optimism. Thought were that the Japs did not want to be seen by the inhabitants in their retreat so they ordered everyone to leave. Several days later the Japs still occupied the town so worries began to mount.

Japs Burn San Pablo

At midnight on March 11^th villages surrounding San Pablo were awakened to the skies filled with smoke and glowed flaming red. The Japs had started burning San Pablo. Shortly before noon on the 12^th a tremendous raid by a squadron of American fighter bombers. The raids lasted most of the morning and after a pause were resumed in the afternoon.

The following day hundreds of Japs and their Filipino informers were on the road heading south toward the mountains escaping the offensive. On the way they picked up some villagers to accompany them and carry their heavy loads of munitions, food and other supplies. With all the inhabitants in the villages of Butokan and Bulaho the populous began to recall the massacre at Intramuros when so many were massacred. The thoughts were contagious and were communicated in each circle of conversation and it became evident the same scheme was in preparation. Families had been hurried so many times to the mountains and back that personal items became limited and now they could pick up and move in short notice.

Led by local guerrillas, many families began moving carefully toward safety carrying everything they possessed hoping to reach Masaya, Maitim, Dayap and Nanhaya. The jungle provided adequate camouflage but open fields of rice and especially crossing the National Road was very dangerous. If they were discovered by the enemy soldiers while escaping they would be shot and bayoneted sparing no one.

Small children carried the loads of adults as hills were climbed and dangerous streams were crossed. The journey ventured near San Crispin and Santo Filomena. In the distance volleys of cannonade could be seen between Los Banos and Mt. Kalisungan north of San Pablo.

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The above account appears in http://fizkid.tripod.com/sanpablocityphilippines/id20.html

The http://fizkid.tripod.com/sanpablocityphilippines site is maintained by Dave, a local resident who hails from abroad.  He has chosen our city to be his home and has visited more our our attractions than most local locals.  He also has a site for Indiana Soldiers and Sailors being veteran himself.  His other site is for the St. Peter's College Seminary although I'm not sure if he was an ex-seminarian.