Nowhere is the policy which was being carried out set forth with more brutal frankness than in the following letter:—
“August 3, 1900.
“This letter is folded in envelope shape and addressed: Sr. Teodoro Sandico, Colonel, 1st Military Chief of Staff in Santo Domingo.
“My Respected Chief and Dear Brother: I have received your respected order, regarding the organization of the Committee in the towns of Zaragosa, Aliaga, and Licab; (Nueva Ecija) from the movements and actions of these towns, I don’t believe it possible to organize immediately. Before we can, it will be necessary that four or five lives be taken in each town. I believe that what ought to be done to those towns is to make a new conquest of them, especially the town of San Juan de Guimba; it is difficult there to set straight the Tagálogs and Ilocanos of importance, as they are badly inclined and they care to do nothing but pervert our soldiers.
“This is what I am able to inform you, in fulfilment of the respected order of the Chief.
“God guard you many years.
“San Cristobal, August 3, 1900.
(Signed) “C. Gonzales.”[27]
The organization of municipal governments by the Philippine Commission, in towns north of Manila, especially aroused the ire of Insurgent leaders, one of whom issued an order declaring traitors all persons who accepted municipal office under the Americans.[28]
In October, 1900, we find General Vito Belarmino ordering that Filipinos in Ambos Camarines who accept office under Americans “be treated as traitors,” and that “commanders of columns and detachments will cause their forces to fall on those pueblos in which there are individuals who are in favour of the organization of such unpopular and therefore despotic governments.”[29] One Tuason, an American adherent, is notified that he and two other persons, who are named, will be shot and their bodies hung on the cathedral tower as a lesson to the inhabitants.[30]