Emilio Aguinaldo_....

"There was a notorious bandit here who was the terror of the
province with his gang; I had him arrested and shot and the robberies
ceased. Murders were being committed; I had the murderers caught, shot
one of them, and there were no more murders; officers of the reserve
would consider themselves kings in their towns, they would shoot
the local _presidentes_ and commit other unlawful acts; I disarmed
them, and tried the most celebrated one, called Arcadio Castillo,
alias Bancucane, who attempted to escape and was killed. With the
death of these persons order has been completely reestablished in
this province. Several had rifles that were used only for robbery
and after two or three trials all turned over their rifles, and the
arming of the battalion was completed.

* * * * *

(Signed) "_Juan Cailles_."

--P.I.R., 7 & 8.

[401] "_Regional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas_.

"_Office of the President_.

"_Kabatuan_, March 16, 1899.

"_To the Honourable President of the Philippine Republic_,

"_Senor Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy_,

"_Most Distinguished President_:

* * * * *

"In order to avoid the distress which the knowledge of the abuses
which are already unbearable, daily committed by the troops of Senor
Diocno, will cause you, this government has hesitated to communicate
them to you, but, as there is almost a reign of terror here, it feels
that it must inform you of them in order to remedy them. The death
of private individuals and assaults committed in the towns are daily
reported as having been committed by the troops of General Diocno. Of
the numerous companies of Senor Diocno, only two under the orders of
General Araneta fight against the enemy, the remainder are the terror
of the town and it is a week since Sr. Diocno went to Capiz without
telling any one what he was going to do.

"In view of the facts pointed out, the soldiers of this General
constituting a constant danger to the town, this government asks you to
order General Diocno to turn over his rifles to us to kill Americans
with and to enable the towns to recover their former tranquillity;
this government asks this of you, relying upon the well-known justice
with which you act and it wishes for you many years of life for our
liberty and our independence.

"_Kabatuan_, March 16, 1899.

(Signed) "_Jovito Yusay_,

"_Temporary President._

(Signed) "_Francisco Soriano_,