Testimony of Magno Sandoval of Rosario, Batangas on Japanese Atrocities He Witnessed in 1945
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Photo taken during the war crimes trials in Manila. Image credit: U.S. National Archives. |
[p. 1]
Q What is your name, age, address and nationality?
A Magno Sandoval, 35 years old, and I live at Barrio Namuko, Rosario, Batangas, P. I. I am Filipino.
Q What is your occupation?
A Farmer.
Q If you move from your present address, where can you be reached?
A I will not move.
Q Did you suffer any mistreatment at the hands of the Japanese on March 13, 1945?
A No.
Q Did you witness any acts of mistreatment by the Japanese on March 13, 1945?
A Yes. At about 8 o’clock in the morning of March 13, I was hiding in the bushes between Namuko Barrio and Itlugan Barrio, which adjoins each other. There were about one thousand Filipino men, women, and children in the area between the two Barrios, and they were running in all directions to escape the Japanese. There were about 15 Japanese present, and I could see them shooting at the Filipinos. Practically all of the Filipinos managed to escape but, after the Japs left, I saw 10 dead Filipinos. Some of the bodies that I saw were those of Lorenzo Masilungan, Sakeo Tolentino, his wife Marcela, and their children; one old woman named Tanang; and Ilias Garcia.
Q Did you know any of the Japanese who were present on this occasion?
A I did not know any of them.
Q Did you know whether any of them were officers?
A There were about 15 Japanese soldiers but I cannot describe them. I believe that they were from the Japanese Military Police stationed in Lipa.
Q Is there anything further that you can add to your statement?
A No.
/t/ MAGNO SANDOVAL
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
TOWN OF ROSARIO
[p. 2]
are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
/t/ MAGNO SANDOVAL
/t/ JAMES P. HEALEY, JR. 1ST LT., JAGD
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
TOWN OF ROSARIO
/t/ JOSE B ZUÑO
/t/ JAMES P. HEALEY, JR. 1ST LT., JAGD
Municipal Bldg., Rosario, Batangas Province, P.I. 29 September 1945 |
/s/ James P. Healey, Jr., 1st Lt. JAGD /t/ JAMES P. HEALEY, JR., 1st Lt., JAGD |
NAME
Juana Garcia |
AGE
20 |
ADDRESS
Namuko Barrio, Rosario, Batangas, P.I. |
NATIONALITY
Filipino |
1 “Excerpts from the Testimony of Magno Sandoval in U.S.A. v Tomoyuki Yamashita,” part of the U.S. Military Commission compilation of war crimes documentation, online at the Internet Archive.