Peaceful cooperation and deathly intrigues
KEEPING peace and order under the nose of the enemy is a tricky matter. And serving two masters in time of war could lead to costly deaths in an arena where family feuds and revenge is a tradition behold.
Per directives of the Office of the Ifugao Deputy Governor, pursuant to President Laurel’s orders to cooperate with the enemy to protect civilian lives, barrio officials were tasked “to assume full responsibility of peace and order ... and to take charge of furnishing anything in materials and labor that the Japanese demanded. So when (Japanese) patrols were to go out, cargadores had to be provided.
My father was amused to learn that native cargadores took their sweet time when escorting Japanese patrols “...to go around in order to delay the patrols, giving time for native runners to go ahead and inform the (allied forces) soldiers, if they happen to be nearby.
“Twice, Japanese patrols went to Antipolo but they followed the trails and the Mayor had to go personally with them where he made the people entertain the Japs, teaching them native dances, so as to make them forget their intention of patrolling. Twice the Jap patrols passed below the HQ of Col. Volkman but they never suspected that American officers were above them in the forest.
“Sometimes the Japanese used to inquire why, when they go to the barrios on patrol, there were many men with spears in every hut stations. The Mayor and I informed them that those are volunteer guards against hiding (allied forces) soldiers, in compliance with their order to form such groups in connection with the Neighborhood Associations.
“The Japs thought the civilians were organized to help them but on the contrary, the civilians were organized to help hide the Americans. Messengers ... were closely and secretly selected among trusted civilians ... while it was generally known by everyone that there are American officers, their hiding places were not known to all, except to a few of us.
“In the course of time, Col. Volkman and Col. Blackburn had more and more men to follow them. And up to the final time of their re-organization of the 11th Infantry there had been no questions about their food, about their safety and finally about their being discovered by the enemy before American aid could come.
“Col. Blackburn, however, received some unfounded charges, and reports against some of us who had been honestly rendering them humble services. He did not investigate the matter personally for him to verify the truth of the reports; but simply took all the information of his men as truths and final.
“His mind began to be confused and by the manner he treated many of his original protectors, he did not quite understand the Ifugao people as a whole. He did not come to think of Filipino love of politics, and of personal glory and of the tribal feuds among the natives ... which although somewhat forgotten is never forgotten from generations to generations.
“He ‘blacklisted’ most of his friends, who had been honestly helping and hiding them, and unfortunately, several of them were innocently killed without any fair trial, under the democratic system, even it is war time.
“We are proud to say that none of them (Americans) were killed, nor betrayed while in hiding in Ifugao for three years (while) waiting for the American aid, which we (were made to) expect within two months after the outbreak of the war.
“May Col. Volkman and Col. Blackburn live long to ponder their lives among the Ifugaos during the war; and may they accept our humble appreciation of their protection and liberation of ourselves from the enemy.
Japanese Occupation of Ifugao sub-province
The enemy occupation of the sub-province commenced when Japanese soldiers first entered Kiangan marching from Nueva Vizcaya from the east via Bolog and Nayon. It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon of May 15, 1942 when they were met by Carlos Codamon, ex-mayor of Kiangan.
“They held a public meeting on the next day and ordered the people to return to town and also to repair the roads. They left on May 17, saying they would return to establish their government. On May 23, they returned and had another meeting and ordered the surrender of all arms and designated Alberto Crespillo as acting Mayor and sub-governor of Ifugao. They centered their attention in opening the roads and bridges.
“On June 26, this platoon was relieved by a platoon from Bontoc, followed by General Narra and Dr. Clapp, who was later appointed Governor of Mountain Province on July 10. I met them in town and reassumed my position as Deputy Governor of Ifugao, as also did Mayor Jose Dulinayan who came out ahead of me about the first week of May, 1942.
“The Japs began their propaganda of Japan’s superiority and began to teach the people to bow and obey them. In September, the adult classes were opened by them and they began to circulate their pamphlets and newspapers. The public school building, walled of stones was occupied as the headquarters and a small store room there was used as the prison where offenders and suspects were held.
“Officially, the Municipal District governments in Ifugao were organized by the enemy on the following days:
“1. Kiangan was organized on July 1, 1942 with Mayor Jose Dulinayan who assumed his office much earlier on May 8, 1942. Municipal Treasurer Roque Paredes also assumed office on July 1, 1942.
“2. Burnay was organized July 1, 1942 with Mayor Moris Baywong re-assuming his position. Treasurer Follosco did not report and Nicolas Liangna, his chief clerk reported as treasurer of Burnay district on August 1, 1942.
“3. Banaue was organized on August 4, with Mayor Adriano Apilis re-assuming his position and Treasurer Andres Morales too reported.
“4. Hungduan was organized on August 18, 1942, with Mayor Mauricio Napadawan, re-assuming his position. The treasurer did not report so Mr. Olpino, clerk there was designated acting treasurer on the same date as the Mayor.
“5. Mayaoyao was organized on January 1, 1943. Mayor Balajo did not report, being in the guerilla organization so Vice Mayor Bonifacio Atluna assumed office on Jan. 4, 1943. Allaga Olnanigon was designated treasurer, in place of Mr. Nebre, on Feb. 12, 1943.
“The Japanese ordered that anyone not helping or cooperating with them will be shot and their homes burned. When we did not yet come out (of hiding), we felt that our safety was doubtful because wherever we hid ourselves, it became known by the enemy and we suspected that our places had been pointed out by those friendly people who came out ahead of us. “The Japanese however, in the course of time treated the people, generally in a friendly manner ...”
To be continued...
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Note: The narrator is the youngest son of the late Luis I. Pawid of Kiangan, Ifugao and Angeline Laoyan of La Trinidad, Benguet. He is a journalist by profession, former town Mayor of La Trinidad, Benguet and former Executive Director of the defunct Cordillera Executive Board of the Cordillera Administrative Region. He now resides in New Jersey, USA.