Got up at 7:30 a.m., dressed with the same wet clothes and wet shoes, took breakfast and proceeded on my journey of inspection of the front. We drove South to Mariveles, and went to the camp of Philippine Army Headquarters ten kilometers north of Mariveles hidden under a forest. I talked to the officers who met me at the road. As I was talking with them 3 Japanese planes arrived and flew over us. We ordered all officers and men to remain quiet under the trees so as not to attract their attention. A few minutes later we heard the Anti-aircraft guns in action in Mariveles, followed by the explosions of the bombs dropped there. Half an hour later, I proceeded. I visited the Command Post of Colonel Castañeda in the interior of the forest. While we were talking to him, 3 Japanese planes flew very low, quite close to the tree tops. We remained very quiet. Colonel Castañeda pointed out a small foxhole to me just in front of me. “Sir”, he said, “jump in if necessary”. The planes continued.
From Colonel Castañeda’s post we went to General Selleck’s Command Post. It was being installed and arranged. I warned the men not to cut too many branches from the trees as that would expose their situation to the enemy. I told them to cut the under-brush only. We saw Colonel Salvador Reyes.
We missed the Command Post of General Steven’s 71st Division which we passed because General Francisco’s aide was not familiar with the Command Post. The road from Mariveles to Bagac is mountainous and beautiful. The dust was terrible. I passed General Wainwright’s Command Post. I was informed that he was out on inspection. When we were near Balanga we saw a Philippine Army car on the road. I asked the driver what he was doing and he informed us that he was pumping his tire. He warned us to be careful as the Japanese were bombarding the airfield at the entrance of Balanga. As we reached the landing field which is close to the road we saw eight big craters in the runway. We believed that we were safe and continued to Balanga two kilometers away. No sooner had we stopped our car to speak to the Captain commanding the Philippine Constabulary at Bataan, when a bomb dropped nearby. We rushed to a nearby house for shelter. Two thirds of the town has been destroyed by incendiary and demolition bombs. A few minutes later we decided to proceed to Limay. As we started, several bombs fell again near the place. Instead of stopping we rushed out of the town. We saw several U.S. army cars hiding under trees waiting for that plane to leave.
We reached Limay where the U.S. Army Field Hospital is. We proceeded to Lamao Point where our off-shore patrol is stationed, arriving at 2:30 p.m. Captain Jurado prepared an impromptu luncheon with tinapa of Bangus and rice. At 4:30 p.m. our launch Baler arrived and we left for Corregidor. On our way back we suddenly heard Anti Aircraft gun shots. I looked up and saw a solitary Japanese plane flying very high en route to Manila. How I envied that Japanese pilot. We arrived Corregidor at 5:30 p.m.