Testimony of Cipriano de la Peña on Japanese Atrocities Committed in Cuenca, Batangas in 1945

Photo taken during the war crimes trials in Manila. Image credit: U.S. National Archives.

called as witness on behalf of the Prosecution, being first duly sworn, was examined and testified as follows through Interpreter Lavengco:

CAPTAIN PACE: If it pleases the Commission, this case is dealing with the municipality of Cuenca, which is also in Batangas. Oh Exhibit 243, the town, the head of the municipal government of Cuenca, is located two kilometers east of the southern bay of Taal Lake.

GENERAL REYNOLDS: If this witness is to be interrogated through an interpreter, the Commission desires a second interpreter to sit with him and to check on his interpretation.

(Whereupon Interpreter Gojunco was called upon to act as a second interpreter.)

Q (By Captain Pace) Give your name, please.
A (Witness talking in native dialect.)

CAPTAIN PACE: Will the Interpreter stop the witness and —

THE WITNESS (through the Interpreter): Cipriano de la Peña.

Q (By Captain Pace) Where do you live?
A Barrio Dita.

CAPTAIN PACE: The Commission will find that about three kilometers northeast of the town of Cuenca.

Q (By Captain Pace) Did you live there on February 3, 1945?
A No, sir.
Q Where did you live on February 3, 1945?
A Barrio Butal east of Dita.
Q How far east?
A It is about one kilometer from Barrio Dita.
Q What happened in the morning of February 3^rd?
A We were caught by the Japanese at Barrio Butal, where we live. We were taken to Barrio Dita.
Q What happened to you in Dita?
A In the afternoon, we were tied with hands behind.
Q How many of you were there?
A We were 21.
Q What happened to you, then?
A We were taken to Binaglunang near the ravine. We were 21. We were shot. My companions who died were thrown into the ravine.

Q What killed your companions?
A Guns.
Q Were all 20 of them killed?
A Yes, sir.
Q Were you wounded?
A I fell down. Those who were dead fell on me. When I regained consciousness, it was quite dark.
Q Were you injured?
A I was not injured but I fell. I lost consciousness.

CAPTAIN PACE: You may cross examine.

Q (By Captain Reel) I think that you said that on the third day of February, you were caught by the Japanese at —

I did not get the name of the province. Do you know the name of the province?

CAPTAIN PACE: Butal; B-u-t-a-l.

CAPTAIN REEL: Butal? B-u-t-a-l.

CAPTAIN PACE: Yes.

Q (By Captain Reel) I think you testified that you were caught by the Japanese at Butal. Is that correct?
A We left the Barrio Butal. We were taken to Dita.
Q Will you tell us what you meant when you said you were “caught” at Butal?
A When we were caught, we were taken there to that barrio at that time.

CAPTAIN REEL: Will you ask the witness again what he means when he says “caught?” Was somebody chasing him? Was he running? Let’s find out what he means by the word “caught.”

(Whereupon Interpreter Lavengco interrogated the witness.)

THE WITNESS (through Interpreter Lavengco): I was caught in Barrio Butal and we were taken to Barrio Dita and they caught us there.

Q (By Captain Reel) Were you engaged in fighting the Japanese?
A No, sir. We were driven there.
Q Were you at the time you were caught with any persons who were guerrillas?
A We not help guerrilla companions.
Q Were any guerrillas caught at Butal on that day?
A No, sir.
Q Did you go into the ravine of your own accord?

INTERPRETER LAVENGCO: Will you repeat that, sir?

CAPTAIN REEL: Did you go into the ravine of your own accord, of your own volition?

A (through the Interpreter) Yes, sir. We were pushed over.

CAPTAIN REEL: No further questions.

(Witness excused.)

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