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
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