The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-04-17
GUST ISLAND BANDIT
COL. HAR1oRD TELLS OF WORK
OF ENDING LApRoNIsM.
When Americans Took Charge OF FL
Ipino Affairs, Desperate Gangs
Were In Controi-TheIr Reign
10 Over.
BY COL. HARBoRp.
(Acting Chief Of Constabulary)

Acting Chief OF ConstabularyD
One Of the most difficult jobs which
the American government took on its {
hands when 1t began the pacifcation
of these islands, was the suppression {
of ladronism. Since remote times this
had been a recognized institution, and |
even Spain at the height of its power
in the islands, had been able to do lit
tie towards exterminating the lawless
bands. 1t was lucrative calling, and
the native robbers were men OF dar-
ing, lawless character, who lived In
the Businesses and jungles, and who
had colleagues, often directors, or &C
tual chiefs, possibly residing within
town limits. Robbery and pillage was
the business of these gangs, and cat
tie stealing their principal and most
lucrative occupation That organized
ladronism could exist 30 long was due
to the peaceful and timid disposition
Of the average native. Rather than
endanger life and property, informa-
ton in regard to these lawless char
acters was withheld, and little or no |
resistance was ever made when towns
or localities were raided.
When civil government was organ
lied in the islands, July 4, 1901. reliev-
ing the then existing military govern
ment Of the administration and control
of the Affairs Of the archipelago. it be-
came necessary to establish an In
sular police force, and the Philippines
constabulary was organized. This
force consisted at first of $500 officers
and men, but was later. reduced to
5000 officers and men-the present
strength. As was to be expected after
Z prolonged warfare, in country con-
sisting of numerous islands, diversified
by mountain and jungle, inhabited by
different races and tribes, the transit
ton from war to peace was not abso-
lutte and definite. The organized IN
surrecto forces had been broken up
and dispersed by the American troops,
but guerilla warfare succeeded and
number Of guerilla bands were still
scattered about the islands.
In different parts of the islands
numerous leaders or chiefs sprang up,
hacked by some hundred or so OF fol-
lowers and each claimed to be the
successor of Aguinaldo, the so-called
president of the Filipino republic. VINO
had been captured by Gen. Funston
after an exciting chase. In Luzon, par
ticularly In the provinces of Cavite
Laguna and Batangas. these lawlesi
bands committed the most OF tneil
depredations. There in the mountain
Businesses, Sakay, the self-styled presi
dent held forth, and In his immediat'
trail were such lieutenants as Monta
lon. villafuerte and some few other
all of whom were either killed or e1
ecuted later on in Bilibid prison. Tn
crimes committed by these lawles
bands had for the most part their ow
people as the victims. Rapine. an
murder were events OF daily occu
renee. and reign Of terror existed
the provinces surrounding Manila.
towns where the people showed al
narticular friendship for the Amel
can. these night raiders were wont
visit and their departure was &c
orally marked by the firing OF the re
licences of the poor peaceful native
ana the carrying on of the wives Al
aauehters of those who were knov
as the Americanistas. Hamstrlngli
burying alive and gouging out the ey
were favorite amusements OF tine
dastards. and most of the crimes co
mitted were indeed of a most hendl
nature. In the northern part OF
Island of Luzon, band OF ladror
held forth for some few years,
gave the constabulary great trout
This band was supposed to have bt
headed by a renegade negro nan
Pagan. who had deserted from
Twenty-fifth infantry, U. s. A. RAJ
was a hard man to kill, but after
Manila papers had reported his DE
in Is different places In the space
two wears. the constabulary finally
ceesed in silencing him. In Bula
and Nueya Ecija, other lawless ba
were at work and after much nis
over mountains and through swan
these provinces were cleaned up,
the ,adrones exterminated- For
time in the provinces Of Aibay and
Camarines, o bandit BY the nam'
Ola. a Chinese mestizo, or half ca
committed countless depredations
made -. the natives pay tribute
him. Work in the great hemp
tricts in this section was at stand
and the provinces were fairly rul
Col Bandholtz, now Gen. Bandn
the director Of constabulary. set
trap for this troublesome fellow
At last succeeded in getting him n
tolls. There hes been peace In
provinces ever since. and condi
there at the present time are !
prosperous.
In the southern islands, undeI
Kuise Of religion. many OF tnese