Japs land in Capoocan

Soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army

But Cornell’s troops appeared to be stronger in their resolve to resist, especially since they were inspired by the gallantry of the 91^st Inf. Regiment in Luzon. 

“It may be remembered that during the early part of the Japs’ invasion in Luzon, the soldiers from Leyte and Samar fought brilliantly against the hordes of invaders, particularly in Nueva Ecija, Aparri and Lingayen. They belonged to the 91^st Infantry Regiment. President Roosevelt congratulated the provinces of Leyte and Samar for their courageous stand against the enemy,” wrote Ramon Mercado.[i]

It was altogether a different story after the Japanese Imperial Army landed in Barrio Pinamopoan, Capoocan on the dawn of May 25, 1942 after the surrender of Bataan. Fierce-looking and muscular, the invaders were fearsome enough to weaken the resolve of local officials. From here, the troops proceeded to the provincial capital.

Gov. Torres did not immediately show himself to the new rulers, leaving the task of surrendering to Board Member Pastor Salazar and the other members of the reception committee organized for the purpose, which included Judge Hernandez of the Court of First Instance and Tacloban Mayor Vicente Quintero. But the Japanese insisted on Torres himself. Confused, Torres disguised himself as a fish vendor and visited two Americans, Walter Price and Ratcliffe, who were earlier arrested by the Japanese and brought to their camp. Both urged him to remain as governor to save civilian lives.[ii]

Soon, Torres went back to his post but after much berating from the Japanese Kempei Tai. This time, his government would under be the strict supervision of the latter.   

As for the USAFFE, some 300 officers and men initially surrendered themselves following Col. Cornell’s orders, then 300 more followed. But the rest hid themselves or withdrew to the interior mountains with their arms. Among the early surrenderees were Lt. Col. Juan Causing, regimental commander of the USAFFE, Capt. Sevilla and 1^st Lt. Jose Alejandro.

Causing and Sevilla would later figure in the organization of the Japanese Bureau of Constabulary established by the Kempetai, ostensibly to help the Japanese police their occupied areas in Leyte, maintain law and order, arrest all those suspected of opposing Japanese rule and put down any possible anti-Japanese demonstrations. Some 180 surrendered soldiers were conscripted into this organization, but many of them would leave the organization later and join their comrades in the resistance movement.[iii]
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[i] Lear quoting Ramon Mercado, Through and Blood and Fire, unplished MS, Tacloban, Leyte, 1945, p. 1

[ii] Op. Cit., Quetchenbach

[iii] Op cit, Lear, p. 26