Chapter 3 –The Japanese-American War in Philippines at Dayhagan, Pilar, Capiz & Dayhagan, Carles, Iloilo in 1944
I remember one time, the whole community in Dayhagan, Pilar, Capiz where we reside were ordered to leave their homes. They were transferred to the village center. Every family started to build small huts in the middle of the village. All the families were to be concentrated in that area. They built a Track and Field area where residents, specially the youth can compete in running 100 meters and 200 meters of short distance running. Those were games for exercises and keep the young busy ordered by the village officers on order of the Japanese.
There were also a community competitions which was like “Rodio de Anillo” where participants ran fast and tried to hit the “anillo”, a round circle about 3 inches diameter that were suspended about 10 feet from the ground. There were small prizes for the winners. It was an order by village officials to make life a little enjoyable , living with fears under the Japanese soldiers control of the villages. In just few weeks we were all living in small huts, concentrated in Dayhagan village.
Farmers go to their farm and work on their rice fields, bananas and different kinds of root crops during the days. The fisher folks go to the seashores or the seas to fish or gather shells. We were living in the “concentraton camp” about 1 kilometers away from the seashore. All go back to their homes to sleep during the nights. This was the new directives by the Japanese. Concentrated families in the village could be easily monitored.
I remembered Sabbath Schools and Sunday Schools before were in the bigger home of some members. Now, this were done under some trees with shades. The cottages and huts were too small for a few people inside. Group meetings were now under the trees. I heard from my uncle, the reason for the concentration of the residents. The Americans were coming back to the Philippines. During that time, I was nearly 5 years old.
I remembered stories of Japanese soldiers coming in our village looking for guerrillas. My grandmother, and most people were afraid of the Japanese. I heard stories of the Japanese tyranny on civilians. There were stories in nearby villages and towns, where civilians were shot by the Japanese. There was even story that a mother was bayoneted together with her child by the Japanese. Every time we hear Japanese were coming, we all hide and disappeared in the heavily forested swamps.
One day, about 11:00 AM, there were two men who arrived at home. I have never saw these men before. One was shorter. The other a bit taller. They went to me when I came inside to drink water. We were playing with my friends outside. And the taller man tried talked to me and tried to lift me. But I refused. When my mother came in from the field, she told me that the taller man was my father. He tried to befriend me.
My father told me stories of his life in the Japanese concentration camps in Tarlac. Those were very hard life. It was said, nearly 50,000 soldiers died in the Japanese concentration camps. The major causes of death were dissentery, typhoid fever and cholera. They often buried some 500 dead soldiers in mass graves daily. My father said he worked very hard to survive the sickness and diseases. One of the thing that helped him was chewing ginger. He always carry and chew ginger during his Japanese internment.
He told me he bought some ginger roots and planted it in their prison garden. Ginger has anti-biotic properties and good disinfectant. He used it as a beverage, boiling ginger in a cup of water and drink every morning. No sugar were used. There were no sugar in the camp. And he made sure he and the sorroundings were always clean. He always drink boiled water from the rivers and wells. He has a canteen and a canteen cup, where he boiled water. Some soldiers, drunk water from the wells and river without boiling. Many of them got sick. And the death for cholera, dyssntery and thypoid fever were heavy. Often there were blooted dead bodies that floot on the river side.
My father said he always prayed asking God for health and strength. He did not know when they will be released from prison. He and his friends tried to find way to make life a little bit easier. They were always hungry. They planted vegetables in some small plots. Vegetables gave them health and strength. Some prisoners were released and allowed to go home. Unfortunately some of them who returned were arrested by the guerrillas who suspected them of having been indoctrinated by the Japanese. Some were detained and investigated. Some were killed, suspected that they are now loyal to the Japanese.
My father told me that when he and about 10 prisoners were released, the went to Manila, then proceeded to Tayabas province in southern Luzon. From Tayabas, he and 4 of his comrades, took a boat to Carles. The boat was operated by a certain Mr. Ocena. The boat carried salt to Carles and Estancia. While on their way, they passed by Romblon province to get drinking water. But they were stopped by the guerrillas and brought to their camp.
My father said they were investigated by the Romblon guerrillas in the camp. Near the guerrilla camp, there where many coconuts growing and bearing fruits. They were held for 4 days by the guerrillas. He said, nearby, under the coconut trees, there were some mounds with bamboo crosses. He was told by the by civilians, these were graves of Japanese war prisonners who retunred and were executed by guerillas, believing that they were already to the Japanese. They will be dangerous to the guerrillas if they were allowed to live.
My father said he assured the guerrilla commander they remained to the Filipino cause. That if they doubted their loyalty, he asked the commander to give th e 5 of them arms, and they weill attack the Japanese camp. He told him, it will be better for them fighting the Japanese than to be killed by fellow Filipinos, now guerrillas. Later, they were ordered released. They can proceed to Iloilo. But the guerrillas asked for 10 sacks of salt. He said, they contributed to buy salt for the guerrillas.
My father said, it was very hard experience to be imprisoned by the Japandes for about 3 years. Then, after they were released, the Filipino guerrillas nearly executed them, doubting their loyalty.
Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 6 of 71)
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