“Nagcarlan, April 6, 1901.”
(Illegible signature.)
“To the General in Chief and Superior Politico-Military Commander of This Province.”—P. I. R., 1142. 8.
[39] The Insurgent leaders did not hesitate officially to report the commission of this ghastly crime. The following is such a report:—
“June 24, 1900.
In Margin, stamp: “Headquarters First Column, Laguna. No. 144.
“I have the honor to transmit to you the enclosed letter from a resident of the town of Pila who had just returned from Manila, in which he gives me news of our present political situation, and as such news are satisfactory to our cause I send you said letter for your information.
“It is known from very trustworthy information that General del Pilar is under arrest in Manila and he has been substituted in the command of his forces by Colonel Macanca, who was his second in command, and is at the present time repressing with a firm hand the bandits who swarm about the outskirts of the zone under his command, as one of the celebrated bandits named Major Eusebio de Rateros, who had previously been in Pagsanján was buried alive in the cemetery of Taguig by Captain Simplicio Tolentino who is at the present time a member of that brigade.
“The news is also confirmed of the execution of Major Espada ordered by General del Pilar. I send you this news for your information.
“God preserve you many years.