LUKBAN
A system of guerrilla warfare should be pursued in groups or sections of 20-25 or less members to harass the enemy and not letting him rest.
Do not fire until you are 40-50 meters, so that you will not miss and the bullets will find their target.
Soldiers in battle must not kneel or lie down on the ground because Americans aim very low. It being a well-known fact that many of our men have died from bullets in the head or chest, while if they stood up, the bullets would pass or hit them in the leg, feet or thighs, which wounds are not mortal or serious. Take into consideration the topography. Have large stores of munitions in the mountains, taking into consideration the fact that this war is to be prolonged for a long period, until America or its government grants us our longed-for independence, and our victory lies in the prolongation of the war. 15
Lukban did not miss the opportunity to take a swipe at the declarations of the Americans as they tried to explain their presence in Samar. In a letter addressed to the local presidentes issued on March 17 that year, he answered the edicts and pronouncements issued by his enemies point by point.
According to the Americans, they came to the islands of Leyte and Samar“ for the sole purpose of opening all ports and in this way allow commerce to go on as before; they have not come to oppress the inhabitants but to aid and protect them in their lives and property.”
Lukban’ s answer:“ They established their own government, dictate reforms and collect taxes. Why rob, why sack, why rape, to say nothing of the innumerable abuses committed in the towns they have occupied? In one year, Samar was able to create arsenals producing ammunitions and cartridges with no better equipment than old sewing machines.”
The Americans said they would“ not interfere with the religious practices or beliefs of the people.”
Lukban answered:“ Why profane images of saints and temples? Why rob and sack sacred edifices? In Gandara, they made kindling wood of the saints they found in the church, and made the church their sleeping place. On the following morning when they left, the church was a veritable privy, and it sickens me to think of it. While sacking in Catbalogan, they took an image of the Virgin Mary which they found and stripped it of its clothes and its gold and silver ornaments and then threw it to the water. In Paranas, they went inside the church when the priest was celebrating the mass and created a disturbance.”
The Americans declared:“ Every man who seeks his own welfare will
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