LUKBAN
deserted the pilot house and hid in the anchor chain. The wheelman, on the other hand, was outstretched upon the pilot house, paralyzed with fear. The crew deserted the steamer and went into small boats which were farthest from the shore.
At the place where soldiers were expected to disembark, the rebels had placed sharpened canes on the trench covered with wet ditches and hidden by a covering of grass. Several of Gilmore’ s men fell into these ditches, but luckily they were not injured. The rice land at the rear of the trench was also planted with sharpened canes at angles varying from 30 to 40 degrees. When Gilmore’ s troops finally landed, the rebels were too far to engage in a shooting battle. He learned that Abuke had mobilized 60 men with about 40 guns, and was joined by a number from Mateginan.
Gilmore however said he had no casualties. The rebels on the other hand had reportedly lost one killed and three wounded, one of whom was reportedly Abuke who suffered a slight wound on the shoulder. When Gilmore returned to Laguan, he was told that one Isidro Medina, formerly a captain of artillery in Catbalogan, had turned himself in.
To the Americans, the occupation of Catubig was more strategic than Catarman. For one, Catubig was the rice granary of the district. If the rebels were to control the town, it would enable them to solve the problem of hunger. If the Americans did, they would hold the key to the rebels’ eventual defeat. At that time, the town already had 10,000 inhabitants. Besides rice, which was estimated to yield 300,000 sacks per year, it had nearly as much hemp as Catarman. The rice harvest was expected to start at the end of March. If Abuke was to succeed in occupying the town, it would serve as a good base of supplies. In addition, occupying it would open up all the towns along the Catubig river.
Gilmore sailed for Catubig on the 22 nd of February 1900 at around 10:00 in the morning on board the boat Cuco with 50 men commanded by his deputy Lt. Sweeney. Although it was said to be highly populated, Gilmore found only 56 Chinese traders who were collected by Abuke from Laguan, Catubig and neighboring villages. Everything seemed quiet. So Gilmore sent a small detachment to Pamponton, the first village on the trail from Mateginan after crossing the mountains.
Next he appointed Tomas Tafalla temporary presidente at Catubig. Earlier, the presidentes of Palapag and Pambujan- Fernando Opinion and Restituto Jazmin – had presented themselves to him. Palapag had a population of 6,000 while Pambujan 5,000. No Chinese or Spaniards were killed in either of the two towns, he learned. Tafalla also informed him that he had received two letters from Lukban, directing that all
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