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August 20, 1943

The Japanese want to put an end to the guerrillas once and for all. Adapting a system of zoning in different parts of the city, they would herd all males from 18 to 50 years old into a building—generally a church—holding them incommunicado for some three days, during which the soldiers would search the houses and interrogate the detainees in the attempt to discover arms and guerrillas. Sometimes, the detention lasts for ten days, in which case the relatives are allowed to bring food and water to them. Not a few of the detainees are, at their release, weak and weary due to hunger and fatigue.