Testimony of Shumpei Hagino on Charges of Atrocities in Batangas in 1945: Cross Examination
This page contains the transcription of the testimony of one of the accused, Shumpei Hagino for the defense in U.S.A. v Shumpei Hagino, et al., one of the trials of personnel of the Imperial Japanese Army for war crimes involving atrocities committed in the Province of Batangas. The main premise of the defense, that the defendant was actually mistaken for somebody with almost similar attributes, sounds a bit desperate. The defendant’s testimony, too, more than two years after the incidents he described, seemed suspiciously detailed to be true. This testimony is, nonetheless, a compelling if lengthy read. This installment contains the cross-examination by the prosecution counsel as well as additional questions from members of the military commission.
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.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
EXAMINATION BY THE COMMISSION
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
Notes and references:
1 “Transcription of the Testimony of Shumpei Hagino 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.
[p. 253]
BY MR. GUTHRIE:
Q On the first morning of the Taal expedition, when the unit assembled at the assembly point, you testified that Takemoto gave certain orders.
A Yes.
Q And at that time, was Hosaka there?
A I do not know for sure. However, I believe he was somewhere in the area.
Q And was Kimura there?
A Yes, Kimura was with me.
Q And was Kato there?
A Yes, I believe he was there. However, I did not know just where he was, due to the fact that we were dispersed.
Q And was Kobayashi there?
A Kobayashi did not participate in the Taal expedition.
Q On the first morning of the Taal expedition, when the unit assembled at the assembly point, you testified that Takemoto gave certain orders.
A Yes.
Q And at that time, was Hosaka there?
A I do not know for sure. However, I believe he was somewhere in the area.
Q And was Kimura there?
A Yes, Kimura was with me.
Q And was Kato there?
A Yes, I believe he was there. However, I did not know just where he was, due to the fact that we were dispersed.
Q And was Kobayashi there?
A Kobayashi did not participate in the Taal expedition.
[p. 254]
Q And was Monma there?
A The battalion artillery was there and I believe he was there, although I did not see him.
Q And was Fukuoka there?
A Yes, I saw him.
Q And did you see Ito there?
A Yes.
Q And did you see Mogami there?
A I believe he was there.
Q I direct your attention to the following question and answer, which is contained in your written statement which is an exhibit in this case:
“Q What procedure was followed in the mopping up of anti-Japanese elements in Taal?
“A The men were divided into platoons of about fifty men in each and we made surprise attacks on civilian houses. Some of these civilians fled and those that resisted were killed right on the spot.”
A The battalion artillery was there and I believe he was there, although I did not see him.
Q And was Fukuoka there?
A Yes, I saw him.
Q And did you see Ito there?
A Yes.
Q And did you see Mogami there?
A I believe he was there.
Q I direct your attention to the following question and answer, which is contained in your written statement which is an exhibit in this case:
“Q What procedure was followed in the mopping up of anti-Japanese elements in Taal?
“A The men were divided into platoons of about fifty men in each and we made surprise attacks on civilian houses. Some of these civilians fled and those that resisted were killed right on the spot.”
I will ask you if you recall that question and if you recall giving that answer.
A Yes.
Q How many enlisted men were in the expedition at Taal?
A I do not know for sure.
Q What is your best recollection?
A As to the number?
Q Yes.
A I believe that it was between one hundred and 150. I am not sure.
Q Then, at the assembly point, when the men were divided
Q How many enlisted men were in the expedition at Taal?
A I do not know for sure.
Q What is your best recollection?
A As to the number?
Q Yes.
A I believe that it was between one hundred and 150. I am not sure.
Q Then, at the assembly point, when the men were divided
[p. 255]
into platoons of about fifty each, there would be about three such platoons, is that correct? This question also refers to the Taal expedition.
A When that statement you are referring to was brought before me for my signature, I noticed the number which was in a platoon. At the time I made the statement, I was not sure of the number. However, I was told to put the approximate number down and I said that it was approximately fifty.
Q How many mopping up units were formed?
A In the Taal expedition, there was the Sasaki Platoon, which was a machine gun platoon, and the Suzuki Platoon of the Sixth Company, which was commanded by the expedition commander.
Q In your written statement, you said that when the expedition assembled, it was divided up into mopping up units. How many mopping up units were formed?
A When I made that statement, I did not mean to say that all the men assembled there were divided into, say, a unit of fifty men. I meant to say that the men were divided into their individual platoons. At that time, there was the Kato Platoon of the Sixth Company and the platoon from the battalion artillery. There was a labor platoon and the headquarters.
A When that statement you are referring to was brought before me for my signature, I noticed the number which was in a platoon. At the time I made the statement, I was not sure of the number. However, I was told to put the approximate number down and I said that it was approximately fifty.
Q How many mopping up units were formed?
A In the Taal expedition, there was the Sasaki Platoon, which was a machine gun platoon, and the Suzuki Platoon of the Sixth Company, which was commanded by the expedition commander.
Q In your written statement, you said that when the expedition assembled, it was divided up into mopping up units. How many mopping up units were formed?
A When I made that statement, I did not mean to say that all the men assembled there were divided into, say, a unit of fifty men. I meant to say that the men were divided into their individual platoons. At that time, there was the Kato Platoon of the Sixth Company and the platoon from the battalion artillery. There was a labor platoon and the headquarters.
[p. 256]
Q Who was in command of the Kato platoon?
A The expedition commander was in command. The platoon leader was Kato.
Q And Kato was the commanding officer of the Kato platoon?
A Kato was the platoon leader of the Kato platoon.
Q And who was the commanding officer of the battalion artillery platoon?
A Second Lieutenant Fukuoka was in charge of the battalion artillery platoon.
Q And who was in command of the labor battalion platoon?
A Sergeant Major Mogami.
Q And who was in command of the headquarters platoon?
A I was.
Q And were those officers in command of those platoons at all times during the Taal expedition?
A Yes, they were in command of their respective platoons.
Q Now, on the Bauan expedition, you testified you had charge of supplies?
A Yes.
Q What kind of supplies were you responsible for?
A I was in charge of the food, the preparation of it and the quartering of troops.
Q Do you know who was in charge of other kinds of supplies for the expedition?
A Just what do you mean by other supplies?
A Well, what supplies were taken on the expedition?
A The expedition commander was in command. The platoon leader was Kato.
Q And Kato was the commanding officer of the Kato platoon?
A Kato was the platoon leader of the Kato platoon.
Q And who was the commanding officer of the battalion artillery platoon?
A Second Lieutenant Fukuoka was in charge of the battalion artillery platoon.
Q And who was in command of the labor battalion platoon?
A Sergeant Major Mogami.
Q And who was in command of the headquarters platoon?
A I was.
Q And were those officers in command of those platoons at all times during the Taal expedition?
A Yes, they were in command of their respective platoons.
Q Now, on the Bauan expedition, you testified you had charge of supplies?
A Yes.
Q What kind of supplies were you responsible for?
A I was in charge of the food, the preparation of it and the quartering of troops.
Q Do you know who was in charge of other kinds of supplies for the expedition?
A Just what do you mean by other supplies?
A Well, what supplies were taken on the expedition?
[p. 257]
A I was in charge of all the food brought along. As far as ammunition, the individual soldiers for the platoons had their own and they were not replenished during the expedition at all.
Q As a supply officer, you are familiar and know about supplies for the Japanese Army, isn’t that true?
A During the expeditions, I took the place of an intendance officer and at other times, I was not the intendance officer, so I do not know any details of supply.
Q If any dynamite was taken on that expedition, who would have charge of transporting it to Bauan?
A I do not know who was in charge of that and even if such were brought, I do not know who would be in charge of it.
Q You have stated that there was a labor platoon of which Mogami was the commanding officer of the Taal expedition, do labor platoons use dynamite?
A The labor platoon sometimes carried dynamite according to its mission, however, if there were no orders to that effect, they would have no dynamite and would be similar to other platoons.
Q You testified on your direct examination that you were in charge or in command of garrison forces, or the garrison unit, at Bauan prior to February 28th. Do you recall that?
Q I was not in command of the garrison unit at Bauan. There was a commander for that. I was only one of his platoon leaders. At that time, the company commander was First Lieutenant Taneichi.
Q As a supply officer, you are familiar and know about supplies for the Japanese Army, isn’t that true?
A During the expeditions, I took the place of an intendance officer and at other times, I was not the intendance officer, so I do not know any details of supply.
Q If any dynamite was taken on that expedition, who would have charge of transporting it to Bauan?
A I do not know who was in charge of that and even if such were brought, I do not know who would be in charge of it.
Q You have stated that there was a labor platoon of which Mogami was the commanding officer of the Taal expedition, do labor platoons use dynamite?
A The labor platoon sometimes carried dynamite according to its mission, however, if there were no orders to that effect, they would have no dynamite and would be similar to other platoons.
Q You testified on your direct examination that you were in charge or in command of garrison forces, or the garrison unit, at Bauan prior to February 28th. Do you recall that?
Q I was not in command of the garrison unit at Bauan. There was a commander for that. I was only one of his platoon leaders. At that time, the company commander was First Lieutenant Taneichi.
[p. 258]
Q How long were you stationed at Bauan on such duties?
A From the middle part of October 1944 until the middle part of December 1944.
Q Is that approximately three months?
A Two months.
Q During that time, did you know Dr. Francisco Manigbas?
A I did not know him, I did not have anything to do with him.
Q Do you recall seeing him testify in this case?
A Yes.
Q Was that the first time you had ever seen him?
A I am not sure for sometimes I feel I had seen him somewhere in a town and other times I feel that I had not.
Q Do you remember Lorenzo M. Leynes? He was a witness that testified in this case.
A I do not know him.
Q He was the witness who testified that just before the explosion, he heard you, recognized your voice giving Japanese orders. Do you remember him now?
A I do not know him. I did not give the orders. If you would summon Lieutenant Owari, he could testify to that fact. He will satisfy to the fact that I was not there to give any orders.
Q Where were your headquarters in Bauan while you were garrisoned there?
A When we first went to Bauan, we had our headquarters at a primary school in the eastern part of Bauan for ap-
A From the middle part of October 1944 until the middle part of December 1944.
Q Is that approximately three months?
A Two months.
Q During that time, did you know Dr. Francisco Manigbas?
A I did not know him, I did not have anything to do with him.
Q Do you recall seeing him testify in this case?
A Yes.
Q Was that the first time you had ever seen him?
A I am not sure for sometimes I feel I had seen him somewhere in a town and other times I feel that I had not.
Q Do you remember Lorenzo M. Leynes? He was a witness that testified in this case.
A I do not know him.
Q He was the witness who testified that just before the explosion, he heard you, recognized your voice giving Japanese orders. Do you remember him now?
A I do not know him. I did not give the orders. If you would summon Lieutenant Owari, he could testify to that fact. He will satisfy to the fact that I was not there to give any orders.
Q Where were your headquarters in Bauan while you were garrisoned there?
A When we first went to Bauan, we had our headquarters at a primary school in the eastern part of Bauan for ap-
[p. 259]
proximately a week. Later, we left there to construct positions and our headquarters was located at a place approximately 300 meters across the Bauan Bridge.
Q During the two months you were there, you were around and in the town of Bauan a great number of times, isn’t that so?
A Our headquarters were in Batangas at one time and there were times when I went through the town of Bauan and at other times because of my duties, I went to the town.
Q And you saw at that time a number of Filipino people and a large number of Filipino people saw you?
A Yes.
Q You used to do a little gambling at a gambling establishment there, didn’t you?
A No, I never did.
Q You stated on your direct examination that one of your great troubles during February was from the guerrillas?
A Yes.
Q If you killed the wives and the sisters and the mothers and the fathers and the babies of the guerrillas, do you think that that would make the guerrilla situation better or do you think it would make it worse?
Q During the two months you were there, you were around and in the town of Bauan a great number of times, isn’t that so?
A Our headquarters were in Batangas at one time and there were times when I went through the town of Bauan and at other times because of my duties, I went to the town.
Q And you saw at that time a number of Filipino people and a large number of Filipino people saw you?
A Yes.
Q You used to do a little gambling at a gambling establishment there, didn’t you?
A No, I never did.
Q You stated on your direct examination that one of your great troubles during February was from the guerrillas?
A Yes.
Q If you killed the wives and the sisters and the mothers and the fathers and the babies of the guerrillas, do you think that that would make the guerrilla situation better or do you think it would make it worse?
MR. BERNARD: If the Commission, please, I object, he didn’t say he killed those mothers and babies and wives.
MR. GUTHRIE: I said if he did.
MR. BERNARD: I object to that.
[p. 260]
COLONEL HAMBY: Do you care to withdraw the question?
MR. GUTHRIE: I will withdraw the question.
COLONEL HAMBY: At this time, the Commission will take a short recess.
(Short recess.)
[The rest of this page was left blank.]
[p. 261]
COLONEL HAMBY: The Commission is in session.
MR. GUTHRIE: Hagino, I will remind you that you are still under oath.
(Interpreter Taccad translated to the witness.)
MR. GUTHRIE: The prosecution has concluded its cross-examination of this witness.
BY MR. BERNARD:
Q In your statement referred to by the prosecution, prosecution said that you said, “We made surprise attacks on civilian houses.” We you say “we made,” whom were you referring to? Are you referring to the Second Battalion or to yourself and your nine men?
Q In your statement referred to by the prosecution, prosecution said that you said, “We made surprise attacks on civilian houses.” We you say “we made,” whom were you referring to? Are you referring to the Second Battalion or to yourself and your nine men?
MR. GUTHRIE: I will object to that. The document speaks for itself and this is an attempt to vary the terms by oral testimony of a written document.
COLONEL HAMBY: Will the reporter please read that question and the objection?
(Question and objection read by the reporter.)
MR. BERNARD: If it please the Commission, the document is not clear on that point at all. There is nothing there to tell us whether he was referring to the Second Battalion or himself and his nine men. He simply said, “We.”
COLONEL HAMBY: The Law Member will rule.
COLONEL POBLETE: The objection is overruled. The witness may answer.
A That means the main strength of the unit during the expedition and has no reference to myself or my nine men.
[p. 262]
Q You say the attacks were on civilian houses? Why were the civilian houses selected?
A By that, I meant that at that time, the guerrillas had occupied these civilian homes. The guerrillas were in these homes and they had attacked the unit. The unit could not help but to return their fire.
Q Did you see those engagements or did you learn of them from other men or officers?
A I did not see them. I learned of this from the commander of the expedition.
Q Did you see any of the officers that were mentioned by the prosecution killing or wounding Filipinos or ordering that that be done by their men?
A I did not see them and neither did I hear about such a thing.
Q Who was in command over these officers?
A Who do you mean by “these officers?”
Q The officers referred to by the prosecution.
A The officers on the expedition were the commanding officer of the platoon. The platoon leader who participated in these expeditions was First Lieutenant Takemoto.
A By that, I meant that at that time, the guerrillas had occupied these civilian homes. The guerrillas were in these homes and they had attacked the unit. The unit could not help but to return their fire.
Q Did you see those engagements or did you learn of them from other men or officers?
A I did not see them. I learned of this from the commander of the expedition.
Q Did you see any of the officers that were mentioned by the prosecution killing or wounding Filipinos or ordering that that be done by their men?
A I did not see them and neither did I hear about such a thing.
Q Who was in command over these officers?
A Who do you mean by “these officers?”
Q The officers referred to by the prosecution.
A The officers on the expedition were the commanding officer of the platoon. The platoon leader who participated in these expeditions was First Lieutenant Takemoto.
MR. BERNARD: That is all.
MR. GUTHRIE: No questions.
COLONEL HAMBY: Any questions by members of the Commission?
BY COLONEL POBLETE:
Q On February 28, 1945, did you speak to a Japanese named Watanabe in Bauan?
Q On February 28, 1945, did you speak to a Japanese named Watanabe in Bauan?
[p. 263]
A No, I did not.
Q Do you know a Japanese by the name of Watanabe?
A Yes, I do know him.
Q Did you speak to him at all in Bauan on or about February 28, 1945?
A The person who spoke to Watanabe was the commander of the expedition, Lieutenant Takemoto, and Lieutenant Owari can testify to that fact.
Q Where you nearby them when Takemoto spoke to Watanabe?
A No, I was not. I did not see him at all on that day.
Q Did you see the mayor of Bauan on February 28, 1945, in the town of Bauan?
A No, I did not.
BY COLONEL LAWHON:
Q When you were on your foregoing expedition in the Taal operation, did you encounter any civilians fleeing from the fighting in the forward zone?
A No, I did not.
BY COLONEL READ:
Q Did you have any dealings with the mayor of Bauan on or about the 28th of February?
A No.
BY COLONEL HAMBY:
Q Recalling your written statement which is Exhibit No. 7 of the prosecution’s case:
“Q Describe what took place at Bauan.
“A All the Filipino men, about three hundred, were gathered in the Bauan church. The men were then taken to
Q Do you know a Japanese by the name of Watanabe?
A Yes, I do know him.
Q Did you speak to him at all in Bauan on or about February 28, 1945?
A The person who spoke to Watanabe was the commander of the expedition, Lieutenant Takemoto, and Lieutenant Owari can testify to that fact.
Q Where you nearby them when Takemoto spoke to Watanabe?
A No, I was not. I did not see him at all on that day.
Q Did you see the mayor of Bauan on February 28, 1945, in the town of Bauan?
A No, I did not.
BY COLONEL LAWHON:
Q When you were on your foregoing expedition in the Taal operation, did you encounter any civilians fleeing from the fighting in the forward zone?
A No, I did not.
BY COLONEL READ:
Q Did you have any dealings with the mayor of Bauan on or about the 28th of February?
A No.
BY COLONEL HAMBY:
Q Recalling your written statement which is Exhibit No. 7 of the prosecution’s case:
“Q Describe what took place at Bauan.
“A All the Filipino men, about three hundred, were gathered in the Bauan church. The men were then taken to
[p. 264]
a nearby house where all the doors were closed and then the house was dynamited.
“Q You were present at Bauan during this operation?
“A Yes.
“Q Did you participate in the events you have described?
“A Yes.”
“Q You were present at Bauan during this operation?
“A Yes.
“Q Did you participate in the events you have described?
“A Yes.”
How do you explain the conflict or difference between your statement at that time and the testimony which you gave in front of the Commission today?
A That was the first statement and it was a very general statement of the expedition. When I was asked whether I was at Bauan, I meant to say that I was there and when they asked me, “Did you participate in the expedition?” I answered, “Yes” because I did.
BY MR. BERNARD:
Q When you said you participated in the expedition, did you mean you were one of the entire battalion or that you were actively engaged in it?
Q When you said you participated in the expedition, did you mean you were one of the entire battalion or that you were actively engaged in it?
MR. GUTHRIE: That question is objected to on the grounds that it is leading. It is an attempt to put words into the mouth of his own witness.
COLONEL HAMBY: The Law Member will rule.
COLONEL POBLETE: Objection sustained. Rephrase your question.
Q When you said you participated in this, what did you mean by that? What did you mean by “participated?”
A It means that I participated in the expedition in general. It did not mean that I was there at the
A It means that I participated in the expedition in general. It did not mean that I was there at the
[p. 265]
scene.
Q Was your statement then first hand or what others told you?
Q Was your statement then first hand or what others told you?
MR. GUTHRIE: Objected to as leading.
COLONEL HAMBY: The Law Member will rule.
COLONEL POBLETE: Objection overruled. The witness may answer.
MR. BERNARD: I will rephrase the question.
Q Was the statement regarding participation first hand information of your own knowledge or was it what others had told you about the expedition? Was the statement regarding the events of the expedition?
A I heard of such events after the expedition was over. When I was first asked whether I knew of such events, I told them that I had. However, I did not mean that I took part or that I was there. As for my actions during that time, I gave a detailed account of them on the 26th of December, 1945.
A I heard of such events after the expedition was over. When I was first asked whether I knew of such events, I told them that I had. However, I did not mean that I took part or that I was there. As for my actions during that time, I gave a detailed account of them on the 26th of December, 1945.
MR. BERNARD: That is all.
MR. GUTHRIE: No questions.
COLONEL HAMBY: Any questions by members of the Commission? There appear to be none. The witness is excused.
(Witness excused.)
[The direct examination of the accused Shumpei Hagino is contained here: Testimony of Shumpei Hagino on Charges of Atrocities in Batangas in 1945: Direct Examination.]
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| Photo taken during the war crimes trials in Manila. Image credit: U.S. National Archives. |
1 “Transcription of the Testimony of Shumpei Hagino 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.