Heard Mass. We had been enjoying “adobo”, “macapuno”, “avocado” and other things sent by my wife. I shared them with my companions and they also liked them very much. My wife sent these things with a note referring to a letter that she had written me.
I have not received the letter referred to in the note of my wife. There must be something the matter with the mail service or maybe the censors held it up.
For the first time I heard about Hamamoto, our interpreter and liaison officer of Malacañan; He went with us to Baguio when the government was transferred there. He left Baguio suddenly for an unknown destination, saying that he probably would not make it. He seemed to have foreseen his death. It is said that the Americans and the guerrillas shot Japanese at sight. Even Japanese soldiers who showed no signs of wanting to fight were killed. After the massacres, cruelties, brutalities and abuses committed by the Japanese, we Filipinos hate them. It will take many generations before Japanese subjects could set foot on Philippine soil without being molested. I myself do not know what I would do, in view of the fact that they murdered my dear daughter, Natividad. The Igorots especially will not want to see any Japanese again as they have been subjected to untold cruelties. I remember that about the 10th of April, all the occupants in two Igorot homes near my air raid shelter, numbering about 32, were murdered by the Japanese soldiers. It was said that there were spies in those two houses, but why were women and children also killed? When the Constabulary came, they saw movement in one of the graves. They found that a child was still alive so that it must have been buried alive.
But Hamamoto was an exception. He was a good sincere friend. He was always ready to serve and his record as an interpreter was noteworthy. He saved the lives of many Filipinos. In fact, he always intervened whenever his help was solicited. He worked against the Japanese soldiers in many cases, such as the forcible taking of houses, so as to help our countrymen. Surely the life of a man with such record should have been spared.
Papers report that de la Paz denied that he had ever accused the House with still retaining vestiges of Japense influence. This incident may therefore be considered closed.
Judging from the newspapers we have received, there seems to be general discontent on account of the inactivity of Pres. Osmeña and his administration. Insistent demands are being made that the most pressing problems, like food shortage and food distribution affecting the welfare of the people, be solved immediately. It is insinuated that the administration is incompetent, inefficient.
On the other hand, there is also bitter criticism against the Congress for having as yet done nothing. It is charged that members of Congress while their time with speech making and politics.
These charges, which appear to be true, may affect the prestige and chances in the elections of the present leaders.
It is providential that we are out of this turbulent ground; we cannot be made to share the blame and responsibility.
The collaborationist issue seems to be one of the main issues now being aired. I am afraid it will be involved in the electoral quarrel. Such a situation may affect our cases because this political development may induce one or both sides to endeavor retaining us here until after the elections. My pessimism is being confirmed.