Philippine Constabulary Report – Cavite 1903

Senior Inspector, Capt. Thomas R. Hayson

Authorized strength 300, distributed in 7 stations. There are 11 inspectors on duty in the province. There have been 408 expeditions in the province during the past year, aggregating 16,550 miles; in other words scouting parties have patrolled the the province almost continuously. There have been 39 engagements. Outlaws killed 20, wounded 23, captured 243. Arms captured, rifles 36, shotguns 10, revolvers 33, bolos 40, daggers 3, and ammunition 1,007 rounds. Palay captured 5,125 pounds. Constabulary casualties, killed 1, deserted 14. Arms lost, 8 rifles and 6 revolvers. Work accomplished by municipal police, nothing of consequence. There were none wounded and 3 deserted. Three rifles, 4 shotguns, and 7 revolvers were lost. Telegraph stations in province, 5. Telephone stations in province, 9. There is a circular telephone system connecting stations in such manner that if cut at any point messages can be transmitted to same point in opposite direction. There are 3 scout companies stationed in the province, 1 at Imus, 1 at Naic, and 1 at Silang and Las Marinas. There are 2 companies near the border of Cavite and Rizal and Batangas, 1 at San Pedro Tunasan and 1 at Nasugbu. The conditions in this province are bad and have always been. It is unfortunate that this province was not included in those turned over to the military and allowed to receive the same chastisement that Batangas, Laguna, and Tayabas received. The present history of the province would no doubt be different. Conditions are somewhat better now than they have been heretofore. With the installation of an army officer as governor and eradication of political features froml the province, it is hoped that things will brighten up. At the close of the last fiscal year the population had apparently decided that they would not be governed. The constabulary was very unpopular. A volunteer organization was tried as an adjunct to the constabulary, which accomplished some indifferent work. Quite a number of ladrones surrendered at one time and some of them were enlisted into the constabulary, but nearly all have deserted or been discharged without honor; several of those remaining are now in confinement awaiting trial for various offenses. In very few instances have outlaws made a stand to fight, and results have been accomplished only by locating bands and attacking them unawares. The people in most of the towns are in sympathy with the outlaws and warn them of the approach of constabulary or scouts. Conditions in the southern part of the province have improved very much and it is believed there will be no further trouble in that section. The town officials have all recently been suspended in San Francisco de Malabon, and the provincial authorities propose to extend this to other pueblos. The most troublesome outlaw in the province is Felizardo. The military and constabulary have tried for two years to capture him without success. He has a following of about 40 men with 27 guns. His followers are such adepts in the rapid change from outlaw to "buen amigo" that we have not been able to apprehend them and stay within the bounds of the law. His rendezvous is in and about Bacoor and Imus, and he has as lieutenants Pilio, Santos, and Patugo. Another troublesome character in the province is Montalbon, who styles himself a general of brigade. At the gresent time his roops are disbanded and he is hiding. His lieutenants are Vega, Tocio, Anastacio, Hermogenes, Caro, and Encarnacion. They infest the country about Malabon and Inmus. Around Indan and Alfonso is a small band under Masigla and Tunasaan. Around Maragandon and Magillanes are small bands under Infanta and Julian Ramos. Still another band under Lais Sipat around'Indan had the misfortune a few days ago. to lose their leader, he being killed by scouts from San Pedro Tunasan. There is much land in the province lying idle and no apparent attempt being made to cultivate it. The province is naturally rich and should to-day be one of the most prosperous districts in the islands. The provincial board is making more effort now than at any time during the year to improve conditions and administration in the towns. It is not known why. Possibly the hope of being governor having vanished, the officials have concluded to go to work. There was a period when candidates were more numerous than flies. The municipal police will continue worthless until a strong hand is placed over them. It would, 1 believe, be a wise move to place a good constabulary inspector in Cavite as chief of police and aide to the governor. The court of first instance has been untiring in its efforts to punish evildoers and its hands are still full. There are now upward of 70 prisoners in the provincial jail awaiting trial. The outlaws from this province concentrated a short time ago around Mount Gonzales, in Batangas, and then proceeded to the town of Bay, in Laguna, and robbed the tobacco company which has an agency there. The Chinos were also robbed. The municipal funds were not molested. The matter of complicity of the presidente of the town is still under investigation. The outlaws in the province pose as patriots, but their occasional robbery of towns show them in their true light and should condemn them even in the eyes of the irreconcilables.