Report on the Activities of the Japanese in Taal and Lemery, February 1945
The Licopa Guerrilla Unit was a guerrilla outfit under the command of one Luis Licopa and operated out of Lemery, Batangas. In this February 1945 document, Lt. Sancho Generoso of the Licopa Guerrilla Unit reported to the Guerilla Commander in Nasugbu the massacres of civilians that were being done by the Japanese in the Taal-Lemery area and appealed for help.
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HEADQUARTERS GLINT
LICOPA’S UNIT
Lemery, Batangas
18 February, 1945
|
Subject To |
: The Guerrilla Commander, Nasugbu, Batangas : Activities of the Enemy, Report for |
1. On the 14th instant the R.O.T.C., soldiers stationed in Manalao, Lemery, Batangas ambushed one Japanese truck loaded with soldiers in Mohon, Taal, Batangas. They were able to kill 6 out of the 8 soldiers in the said truck. One of the soldiers of the R.O.T.C. was wounded in that encounter. The very afternoon, a group of Jap soldiers arrived [at] the place due maybe [to] the 2 remnants of the ambushed truck reported to their Headquarters the happenings. The said soldiers traced the drops of blood of the R.O.T.C. soldier on the road up to Cultihan. This, then, gave them sufficient proof that all the men in the neighboring barrios are Guerrillas.
2. On the 15th, the Japanese began to burn all the houses in Mozon, Sambat, Kutang Kawayan, Mohon and Buli, shooting all the people at sight. In the places stated, about 250 were killed.
3. The following morning, at about 6:00 a.m., the Japanese started shelling with their trench mortar and 2.95 F.A. gun the barrios of Cultihan, Bolbok, Tambo, Calumala, Cubamba, Maabud, Bancuro, Balete, Tulo, Luntal and Munlawin. Into those places, about 2,000 civilians were killed and all the houses were burned.
4. On the 17th, at about 6:30 p.m., the Japanese again shelled the barrios of San Nicolas, Pansipit, Calangay, Sinturisan, Apacay, Bangin, Talang, Bungahan and Abelo. In the places stated, about 500 civilians were killed and all their houses were burned.
5. According to reliable information, after the completion of all the barrios of Taal, the town will be the next. The whole municipality of Lemery is scheduled after Taal is completed. Report was also received that according to the Japanese, those Filipinos who will survive in this war, soldiers, guerrillas or civilians are fortunate from their hands. This is sufficient proof that they will kill all the Filipinos at sight, but our men cannot be suppressed [with] what they are doing due to the lack of arms and the men seem to be demoralized because they cannot fight without arms.
6. The undersigned, therefore, appeals to your sense of justice that this matter will meet the most favorable consideration to free those non-combatants from the inhumanity of the enemy.
Liaison Officer