Statement of Rikizo Monma Related to Japanese Activities in Batangas in World War II

This page contains the testimony from one accused, Warrant Officer Rikizo Monma, submitted as evidence in U.S.A. v Shumpei Hagino, et al., one of the war crimes trials conducted after the conclusion of World War II in the Pacific in 1945. This document was the record of a deposition conducted at the American High Commissioner’s residence in Manila after the conclusion of hostilities. The pages contained herein are now declassified and were part of compiled documentation¹ of war crimes trials conducted by the United States Military Commission after the conclusion of World War II. This transcription has been corrected for grammar where necessary by Batangas History, Culture and Folklore. The pagination is as it was contained in the original document for citation purposes.

[p. 1]

Q State your name and age.
A 30 years old. Rikizo MONMA.

Q State the regiment and battalion of the Japanese Army to which you were attached in February 1945.
A I was attached to the Second Infantry Gun Platoon of the Second Battalion of the 17^th Infantry Regiment.

Q Where were you stationed in February of 1945?
A DITA.

Q About the middle of February, did you receive an order to participate in the TAAL punitive force?
A Yes.

Q Who issued this order?
A I received the order from 2^nd Lt. Chiyokichi FUKUOKA, platoon leader of the Second Infantry Gun Platoon of the Second Battalion.

Q Who was 2^nd Lt. FUKUOKA’s direct superior?
A Capt. Isao ICHIMURA.

Q Who was the leader of the Taal punitive force?
A 1^st Lt. Kiyomi TAKEMOTO.

Q How many men from your platoon took part in the Taal punitive force?
A As I recall, there were about ten men.

Q As near as you can remember, give the names of those from the FUKUOKA platoon who participated, and also state whether they are living or dead.
A   1. 2^nd Lt. Chiyokichi FUKUOKA, living

Q What was the mission of this punitive force?
A Suppression of guerrillas. We were told to kill those who fled when they saw the Japanese troops.

Q Who told you that?
A We were told by the platoon leader, 2^nd Lt. Chiyokichi FUKUOKA.

Q How far was your unit separated from the main force, and where did you go?
A I am not sure, but I think we were about a kilometer from the main force. Also, it seemed that we were to the rear of the main body.

Q What was the direct order you received concerning the live natives in the vicinity of the barrio of TAAL?
A We were told by the platoon commander to shoot those who tried to run away.

[p. 2]

Q At any time, did you ever receive an order or advice to give guerrillas a trial?
A No, I did not receive any.

Q Did you see any natives who were alive at the barrio of TAAL?
A No.

Q How long did the punitive action last?
A Three days.

Signed: W/O Rizo MONMA

CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:

[Sgd.] GUILLERMO G. GUZMAN
2^nd Lt., INF (PA)

Photo taken during the war crimes trials in Manila.  Image credit:  U.S. National Archives.

Notes and references:
¹ “Statement of Rikizo Monma, part of the documentation in U.S.A. v Shumpei Hagino, et al.,” part of the U.S. Military Commission compilation of war crimes documentation, online at the Internet Archive.