LUKBAN
return to his home where he will be safe and where the Americans will protect him.”
Lukban replied:“ How can the natives return to their homes when they are abused while there with all manner of brutalities?”
Moreover, the Americans had imposed strict regulations in towns that they garrisoned. Curfew was strictly imposed. This was accordingly“ to secure peace to the inhabitants of the towns” they occupied. From 8:00 in the evening, no one was allowed to walk in the streets after 8:15 without proper authority. Otherwise, they would be arrested and brought before the commanding officer for questioning. Lukban condemned the practice harshly. 16
More small victories
Meanwhile, Lukban’ s troops continued to score small tactical victories in their areas of operations. In Tiabong on March 24, some troops under a lieutenant attacked the American detachment at Capatagan, a village of Tiabong, armed only with bolos. They killed one officer and two soldiers, seriously wounded five others, and captured some rifles and the revolver of the officer. But four of them were wounded, three of them taken prisoners. 17
On the morning of the 29 th, a steamer loaded with American troops anchored off Borongan but withdrew after an attempt to land when they saw the hostile attitude of the people. The inhabitants lined the beach, ready to repel them. 18
This happened also on March 29. It had become a usual practice of American troopers to disembark from their boats so they could burn and sack coastal settlements. But in Pambujan, the Americans met their misfortune when the natives made numerous pits and set pointed canes, steeped in poison, in the bottom of traps( balatic). When some 150 troops disembarked, many of them fell into those pits, and the rest were reportedly so frightened that they fled to their ships.“ The defense made by that town greatly demoralized and terrified the enemy,” said Lukban. 19
On the 30 th, American troops tried to advance towards San Jose, but they were repulsed by the forces of Lukban. One of them was killed and another one seriously wounded. The rebels also captured a rifle and some ammunition and also some provisions consisting of canned goods and hams. Later the enemy retreated in disorder, and the rebel troops captured four wounded natives who served as spies. 20
In his circular, Lukban urged his men to“ continue to play tricks on the enemy, be constant in war, and continue to plant rice. Thus can the weak fight the strong. All men and women that cannot serve should go into the interior
54