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Saturday, Feb. 10, 1945

I peered through the shutters of our window and saw a boy with a pushcart containing four cans of water. A Japanese sentry stood about 20 meters behind the boy. I saw the sentry cooly aim and shoot him. The boy fell face down. The Jap went to the side of the fallen youth. When the boy, not yet dead, lifted his face, the Japanese thrust his bayonet into his victim’s back. He kicked the body on the head. There were more shots in the distance. Later I saw the bodies of the dead.

In the afternoon the Japs blew up the Union Church. There was a big fire. I did not know what to do. I decided to wait and watch the progress and direction of the fire. Then the wind changed and I thought I was saved. I went upstairs and looked out. I saw Jap soldiers go into Nebraska Hall with gasoline cans. Then they came down and went into the Ateneo. Fifteen minutes later, the Nebraska Hall was aflame. When the house right across from ours caught fire, I decided to risk it and run. With my wife and children I made as fast as I could for the Ateneo. The Japanese fired at us but we got across safely. Others were not so fortunate. One was a nun. She had reached the Ateneo safely, then she went to the sentry at the gate and asked if she could get her bundle which was lying on the sidewalk across the street. The Japanese said no, so the nun turned to go back into the building. As she turned, the Japanese shot her.