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The Freeman (Cebu), Monday, 15 October 1945

The cruiser Panay was launched today at the San Fernando naval dockyard. She was immediately towed to the yard’s fitting-out wharf where her construction will continue. It is expected that she will complete sometime next year.


The Manila Times, Wednesday, 17 October 1945

The first locally-produced example of the Douglas A-26 light bomber has been delivered to the Philippine Air Force. Current procurement plans call for the Douglas aircraft to replace the service’s Martin medium bombers in the course of the next two years.

Zamboanga Harbor, Thursday, 18 October 1945

The landing ship Calibato nosed its way into its berth, aided by a small harbor tug. The arrival of the ship attracted the attention of the local population – they were quite familiar with the comings and goings of the Navy’s small ships but visits by the Calibato and her sisters were a rarity. Most unusual was the crowd forming on her deck – scores of green-clad Marines.

For those in the know, the Calibato had brought the 26th Marine Mobile Intervention Company down from its previous station in Palawan. The move was part of the Navy’s response to the growing problem of the Moro. For the time being the Philippine Constabulary was capable of dealing with the situation – but it was obvious that the admirals in Manila were preparing just-in-case.


Cavite, Saturday, 20 October 1945

For architect Manuel Molina and businessman Alfonso Banato of the Steelcraft Development Company the day was a momentous one. They stood on the loading dock watching the truck bearing the first shipment of the firm’s patented “Typhoon Clips” departing on its way to the Manila docks. Molina’s ideas had finally borne fruit when he had convinced the Government to use the device in the construction of the many houses being built in the south under the Strategic Hamlets program. The architect had recommended Steelcraft as the source to manufacture them, and Banato’s factory was now turning out a thousand or more a day.

For the businessman the shipment represented what he hoped would be the beginning of many lucrative contracts with the Government; and perhaps elsewhere. Molina had suggested that Steelcraft should send a salesman to Kolkata with a bag of samples and sales brochures as soon as possible. Like the Philippines with its many typhoons, Bharat suffered from many cyclones and would certainly be interested in inexpensive means of improving its housing stock. On Monday Banato would call at the Bharati consulate in Manila to inquire if there might really be interest in the idea.

The Mindanao Journal, Monday, 22 October 1945

Units of the Philippine Constabulary were called upon to intervene in inter-communal fighting that had broken out between Suluk and Yakan residents in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. Preliminary reports indicate that armed Suluk insurgents carried out attacks upon the Yakan residents of the area leading to a number of civilian deaths. Prompt Constabulary action brought about the destruction of the Suluk raiding party, resulting in the deaths of twenty three insurgents, the capture of fifteen others, and the recovery of twenty-seven firearms. A spokesman for the Philippine Constabulary indicated that additional units would undertake patrols in the area to prevent further attacks upon the Yakan population.


The Daily Guardian (Iloilo), Wednesday, 24 October 1945

The destroyer Garceta has completed its post-refit trials and working up, having called here in route to Cavite where it will rejoin Destroyer Squadron Three of the Northern Fleet.

Action Service Headquarters, Makati, Friday, 26 October 1945

Gavin Bagares read the reports from the south with a certain sense of glee. The situation was shaping much as he had anticipated. “Divide et imperia” he murmured.

Without the steadying hand of the Sultan of Sulu virtual clan warfare had broken out between the hardline Suluk and the more receptive Yakan groups of the Moro. By favoring the latter the Government was able to advance its program of assimilation and conversion, which of course only stoked the hatred of the hardliners – who were being hammered wherever possible. The reports of interceptions at sea by the Navy indicated that most, if not all, of the refugees attempting to flee to Borneo or Sabah were Suluk. Reports suggested that the refugees were not making themselves too welcome either.


The Philippine Herald, Saturday, 27 October 1945

The destroyer Flamenco and Aguilucho have completed their scheduled refits and embarked upon their shake-down cruises. They are expected to soon rejoin the fleet, strengthening our naval defenses against potential foreign aggressors.

Manila, The Malacañang Palace, Tuesday, 30 October 1945

Carlos Rómulo read the despatch from the consul-general in Batavia a third time; doing so did not make it any easier. The authorities in the Netherlands East Indies were not happy with the continued arrival of Suluk refugees from the southern provinces and they were not going to accept any more.

“Damn it,” he thought, “we are doing all we can to stop them from fleeing. What do they want us to do? Sink everything on sight?”

No, apparently. Governor-general van Mook wrote of taking a more conciliatory approach to dealing with the Moro issue. Rómulo snorted. “He’s sitting on the edge of a volcano and is afraid anything will set it off.” In any event, the East Indies authorities would be repatriating any further refugees whether they wanted to return or not. That left Rómulo with the problem of advising the President and the Council that their Moro problem had just taken on another dimension.


The Manila Times, Wednesday, 31 October 1945

With the disbandment of Attack Squadron Five at Naval Air Station Cavite the last of the Philippine Navy’s Nakajima B6N torpedo bombers have been withdrawn from service. That role is now fulfilled by the land-based Grumman F7F twin-engine torpedo fighter.

The Manila Herald, Thursday, 1 November 1945

The civil support ships Cabo Engaño, Cabo Bolinao and Cabo Santiago were completed today in the Cavite shipyards. These vessels, intended to support the public health and essential development projects in the southern provinces, are expected to be expedited into service. Builders trials are expected to take several weeks but they could deploy early next year.


Manila, Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Friday, 2 November 1945

Gabriel Cardinal Reyes sat at his desk, reading the report his secretary had prepared. Despite the recent difficulties with the Moro population in western Mindanao the progress made in the eastern portion of that island was gratifying. He noted with particular interest the role played by the Society of the Divine Word and its European missionaries; they were quite dedicated to spreading education through schools and mission stations, including some in the troubled Moro regions. He jotted a note to have a letter of thanks and encouragement sent to the superior general of the order in the Netherlands, with the hope that more brothers might be recruited for the important work ongoing in Mindanao.

The Manila Times, Saturday, 3 November 1945

The frigates Jolo and Sulu were launched today at the Cavite shipyards. They were then towed to the fitting out wharf to complete their construction, and are expected to complete before next summer. Given the situation in the southern provinces, their arrival will be none too soon.


The Philippine Herald, Monday, 5 November 1945

The newly-modernized cruiser submarines Mako and Martillo were declared operational today, and none too soon. Given the latest provocative actions by China their presence on patrol comes none too soon to strengthen our defenses.


Manila, The Senate Chambers, Tuesday, 6 November 1945

Don Carlos Gothong rose to address the assembled senators. “It is clear to me that the situation in our southern provinces requires a change in our current naval planning. The cruisers provided for in the current legislation force us to delay construction of the small craft needed to deal with the Moro menace. I move that the Government be granted freedom to defer the construction of the two cruisers and to recast the construction schedule to meet our immediate needs.”

Several senators immediately looked in the direction of Don Pedro Teves, who sat silent and impassive. Other senators rose and in quick succession to second the proposal made by Gothong. For his own part, Don Andreas Soriano merely smiled.

The Mindanao Post, Wednesday, 7 November 1945

The patrol combatants Navotas and Nasugbu were completed today at the Butuan naval shipyard, and none too soon. Such fleet and well-armed vessels are needed to sweep the seas of murderous Moros and re-establish peace in the southern seas. Their entry into operational service cannot come too soon.


The Celebes Sea, 5 dgs 35 min North, 122 dgs, 9 min East, Friday, 9 November 1945

The non-descript motor-sailer was making a steady five knots, its elderly diesel engine chugging away below deck. Many of the refugees crowded aboard her sought protection from the sun under canvas awnings spread over the deck. For the leader of the refugees, Whajid Sahidulla, this was the most dangerous part of their passage. A small knot of younger men approached Sahidulla as he sat near the bow of the vessel.

“Tuan,” one asked, “why do we sail east? Is not the land of our ancestors in the west, in Borneo, where so many of our brothers have gone?”

With a weary voice Sahidulla explained. “Our enemies patrol the seas between our home and Borneo; the risk of capture is too great. The European infidels – the Dutch – who rule Borneo – have made a pact with our enemies so that if they find us we will be returned to the jails of Government. We would be like the Sultan – cut off, walled in, and forced to do the will of the infidel.”

“Then where do we go Tuan?” another asked. “If not in Borneo, where will be find safety?”

“To the south,” replied Sahidulla, “is a great island. I journeyed there many years ago on a trading voyage. The land there is fertile, and but a few pagans live there. Neither our enemies nor their allies, the Dutch, will seek us there. We can build new homes and live in peace.”

“Is this island far?” a third inquired.

“It is many days’ sail,” the Tuan answered. “We must gird ourselves for a long voyage, in order that our supplies might last. If rain comes, be ready to catch the water that collects in the awnings. Should Allah prove merciful to us, we will catch fish in the sea. We must be strong.”

The Freeman (Cebu), Saturday, 10 November 1945

The destroyers Serreta and Busardo are the latest vessels to enter the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization program for refit. They are expected to rejoin the fleet in several months far better equipped to deal with the growing menace of foreign submarine forces.


Naval Operating Base Cavite, Sunday, 11 November 1945

The growing seriousness of the international situation had Kapitein-luitenant ter Zee Eugène Lacomblé working through the weekend. The shock of the rebellion in Ubangi-Shari and the continued uncertainty of nationalist sentiment in the East Indies left him quite concerned for the growing problem of Moro refugees fleeing the Philippine Government’s settlement program. The authorities in the Indies had made it clear that they did not want any more Moro refugees on Borneo, and would return to the Philippines any who tried to go there. To Lacomblé it was clear that the Philippine Government did not really want them back, but had announced that it would receive them for internment.

“Internment Camp” he thought. “A prison.” Lacomblé felt that the Philippine authorities were being very bloody-minded in their desire to eliminate the Moro from the southern provinces, or at least make them good Christians. It reminded him of what he had read in school of the iron-shod tactics of the Duke of Alba that had sparked the Netherland’s own struggle for independence centuries before.

He looked again at the latest news – reinforcements from the Philippine Constabulary being sent on to Tawi-Tawi, additional naval patrol craft being drafted in to beef up patrols, an increasing number of firefights between rival Moro clans. It was as if the Philippine authorities wanted the Moro to begin fighting amongst themselves, and then step in to crush whoever remained.

The Mindanao Journal, Tuesday, 13 November 1945

The destroyers Marinduque and Maricaban were launched today at the Butuan naval shipyard. The lead vessels of a new class of destroyer they will significantly add to the strength of the Philippine Navy. Two other ships of this class were laid down last month, and four additional vessels are expected to follow next year.


The Celebes Sea, 2 dgs 5 min North, 132 dgs, 34 min East, Friday, 16 November 1945

Whajid Sahidulla sought shelter from the heat of the tropical sun in the shade of the motor-sailer’s wheelhouse; here at least there was a hint of breeze to lift the spirit – below deck, where most of his companions were, there was far less relief. Thus far their provisions were holding out, and a sudden squall the day before had allowed them to gather rainwater. Thus far Allah had provided. He had also thus far shielded them from the patrols of the infidel – obviously their choice to sail east rather than west had served them well.

Still, they had many days yet to go. He closed his eyes and cast his mind to the memories of the land to which he was leading his people – the white sand beaches, the stands of palm trees, and the river running to the sea. There they could be safe from the hated northerners and their Dutch allies. Insofar as the few dark-skinned heathen who lived there, he was certain that Allah would provide for that as well.

Are they headed to Australia?

Quoted from "Desertfox"

Are they headed to Australia?

Responded to privately.

Kanjarang, Pata Island, Sulu Province, Sunday, 18 November 1945

For the crew of the civil support ship Cabo Bojeador the last week had been long and hard; anchored in the shallows of the harbor she had seen a constant procession of the sick ferried out from shore by canoe and banka. Lieutenant Commander Lorenzo Alcala was in his small cabin finishing an entry in his log book when a shout from the deck attracted his attention. Emerging into the sunlight the officer of the deck called his attention to seaward, “One of the new sloops sir, the Sagawa by the look of her, and a landing ship.”

Alcala had not been advised of any other naval vessels due to call at Pata, and wondered if they were merely on route elsewhere. He picked up his binoculars and adjusted the focus – just in time to see the sloop change course and turn bow on his direction.

“I have the suspicion that we are going to have visitors and that something is up,” he thought; then, turning to the officer of the deck he ordered, “Clear away my gig.” Alcala then went below to the radio shack to check on whether there was any message traffic to explain this unexpected turn of events.

The mystery was resolved some hours later when the sloop Sagawa anchored in the outer roadstead and her captain requested Alcala to report aboard. Commander Anton Burahan met Alcala and the gangway.

“You’re probably wondering why we’re here,” he said. “I am still somewhat surprised myself.”

He conducted Alcala below to the wardroom where he found one wall covered in maps and aerial photographs. “We have orders to establish a settlement at Saimbangon on the western side of the island; the Danao ought to be landing the lead elements about now.”

Alcala raised an eyebrow. “I know that Saimbangon is thinly settled, but there are already people living there – we’ve had patients who traveled a day-and-a-half to reach us here.”

“And it has no real harbor – which is why the Danao is carrying the first flight of equipment to build the settlement. According to the powers-that-be who are running the Strategic Hamlets Program it is the best place on the island to receive new settlers. The present residents will be resettled further inland.”

Alcala thought that this was not the wisest of moves, but being a good officer, he did not venture an opinion. It seemed as though Burahan’s mission had nothing to do with his own – and Burahan was not asking for Alcala to assist. “You have no orders for me then?” he asked.

“No,” Burahan replied. “As far as I know your instructions from Commander Southern Sea Frontier remain.”

The Daily Guardian (Iloilo), Friday, 23 November 1945

The destroyers Flamenco and Aguilucho have finished their post-refit trials and operational work-up. They have been temporarily assigned to the Southern Patrol Force to respond increase the number of vessels available for anti-piracy patrols.


Papua New Guinea, 2 dgs 36 min South, 141 dgs, 50 min East

The motor-sailer that had brought his people from their home stood anchored in the small bay; on the beach Whajid Sahidulla oversaw the landing of his followers – some seventy men, women, and children. Allah had been merciful on their passage and none had been lost to disease or accident. The last of their meager belonging were being ferried ashore. The beach upon which the Suluk were gathered was warm and sandy, almost inviting. Yet inland stretched fetid jungle; it would not be easy for the people to build a home here. But at least there were no infidels, and if there were heathen tribesmen in this area, they had not yet made their appearance. The steersman of the motor-sailer approached.

“This is the last,” he said, indicating the bales and boxes being unloaded on the beach from two skiffs. “I will have my payment.”

“And so you shall,” replied Sahidulla, taking from his scrip a number of gold coins. “When you return you shall give word to our countrymen that they may join us here.”

“I will do so,” the steersman answered, “though it may be many weeks before I could return with them.”

“It will be as Allah provides,” concluded Sahidulla. “Go with his blessing.”

As the sailors returned to their vessel, Sahidulla went among his people, encouraging them, and then he checked the cargo. Coming to one large chest he took a key and unlocked it – and hefted out an old but serviceable rifle. Checked the action to assure that it worked, and then summoned the younger men to his side. Emptying the chest of the rifles and ammunition it contained and gave it to them saying, “This is our new home – we will not let it be taken from us.”

The Manila Times, Monday, 26 November 1945

The fleet destroyers Saumay and Singapod were declared operational today following completion of their obligatory working-up period. They have joined Destroyer Squadron Eight and are already taking part in regular sweeps with the Northern Fleet.


Action Service Headquarters, Makati, Tuesday, 27 November 1945

Gavin Bagares was digesting the latest reports from his agents in the southern provinces, and to the hard-nosed chief of the Action Service they were promising, if distasteful to some. His plan to split the Moro community along ethnic lines was beginning to work – with a surge of intra-communal conflict as the Suluk sought to maintain their traditional ascendancy without the influence of the Sultan of Sulu and to punish any Moro clan that cooperated with the Government. Their very extremism was driving the Yakan, Bajao and other groups into the Government’s arms – something Bagares had banked on.

Coupled with an expansion of the Strategic Hamlets program and the increase in services to clans friendly to the Government the stage seemed set for attainment of the goal of eliminating the Moro as a threat. It would still take years, but Bagares could see promise in the long haul. A fly in the ointment was the decision of the Dutch authorities in the East Indies to turn back further Suluk refugees – Bagares had hoped that the hard-core resistants would simply flee and become someone-else’s problem.

It was no matter. The Constabulary had already established a resettlement camp to handle those Suluk interned and deported by the Dutch; thus far it was quite under-populated. Time would tell if it would be necessary to create a second.

The Manila Chronicle, Wednesday, 28 November 1945

The destroyer Polluela undocked today at the Cavite shipyard, completing her refit and embarking on post-refit trials. She is expected to return to operational status before the end of the year; with the latest machinations of China, she cannot return too soon.


The Davao Herald, Friday, 30 November 1945

The destroyers Tagumbas and Tagaran were completed today at the Butuan Naval Shipyards, the latest modern flotilla craft for the Philippine Navy. They are the last of the sixteen Barangay class destroyers to be constructed, and their successors, the Marinduque class, are already under construction.

Submarine Mako, 21 dgs 59 min North, 121 dgs 32 min East, Saturday, 1 December 1945

Lieutenant Commander Ramon Penaflorida scanned the horizon through the main periscope of the submarine. He checked his bearing with the landmarks on Lan Yu and estimated that they were as close inshore as they could safely go.

“Dradis?” he said in a questioning tone.

“The scope is clear sir” the operator replied.

“Very well,” Penaflorida noted. “Raise the secondary periscope.”

The long tube rose from the submarine’s sail and pierced the surface. To it was affixed a special camera that would allow the Mako to photograph Lan Yu in sharp detail. Since the incident in October when the Chinese forced down a French transport aircraft the Philippine naval staff had ordered increased submarine patrols in the vicinity of the Chinese-held island. Penaflorida and his fellow submarine commanders had photographed nearly every mile of shore on the small island; unfortunately their watery perch gave them little opportunity to see what went on in the many scientific establishments reputed to be on the island. To Penaflorida however that made little difference. His mission was to obtain the information required and not be discovered.


Papua New Guinea, 2 dgs 36 min South, 141 dgs, 50 min East, Sunday, 2 December 1945

Rimbink and his fellows rounded the cape that sheltered the small inlet and headed their canoe towards the cluster of huts that stood on the shore. On their last voyage past this place they had seen nothing but now the smoke from cooking fires could be seen above the huts and men were on the shore cutting down palm trees. Curious, they paddled towards the shore, wondering where these people had come from.

Shouts had alerted Datu Whajid Sahidulla to the approach of the canoe. Since their arrival his people had seen none of the natives of this area but obviously that was now to change. With his most trustworthy followers he went down to the beach and waved towards the dark men in the canoe, hoping that they would land, and not paddle off to alert the authorities.

Rimbink saw that the people on the shore were not like him; they were taller and not as dark – they were obviously strangers. “Where have they come from?” he wondered. He kept the canoe pointed toward shore and urged his companions to paddle through the surf and land near the knot of people now standing on the beach. The canoe grounded and Rimbink jumped out, staring at the strangers who gesticulated wildly.

“We must not let them escape,” said one of Sahidulla’s men. “They will bring more infidels who will kill us or force us to go home.”

Those very thoughts had crossed Sahidulla’s mind. He advanced towards the one native who appeared to be the leader of the party, and by signs attempted to convey friendship. The native answered with incomprehensible words. Were these heathens or some manner of infidel – Sahidulla could not immediately tell; it was obvious that they were not followers of the prophet. He then spied the small Christian cross hanging around the neck of one the four natives…

Rimbink tried speaking in the languages of all the tribes he knew – even if it was only a few words. The one – obviously a leader – made gestures which Rimbink thought were peace signs, but he could not understand what the stranger was saying. But Rimbink recognized the weapon that the leader drew from his sash – he had seen the District Officer wield one like it many years ago – a revolver…

The sound of rifle and pistol shots echoed along the beach; four dark bodies slumped in the water. Sahidulla had taken no chances; with so few of his people here he could not endanger those who would come in the future. “Bring the canoe ashore,” he said to his followers; “find a place to bury the bodies”.

Hacienda Basan, Negros, Wednesday, 5 December 1945

Don Pedro Teves had left Manila to return to his estate in the central Visayas to contemplate his options. He would have much preferred to use the recent Sino-French incident near Lan Yu to his own political advantage, but the deal he had struck with Soriano had kept him on a tight leash. He had thrown his support to the Government’s cautious position, rather than insisting on preparing for the inevitable Chinese invasion.

He had to admit that the Government’s recent moves against the stubborn Moro in the southern provinces were working – but he failed to see why more money should be spent to improve the lot of those Moro willing to submit. Could Soriano and his allies not see the threat posed by China? More heavy ships were required – and Cain, the Defense Minister, had sold or scrapped so many of them!

Yet he was trapped. If he failed to toe the line Soriano would release the documents that would destroy the ambitions of his family, perhaps even their fortune. He had contemplated leaving the Senate, though that would accomplish little; the sword of Damocles would still hang above his head. His options seemed limited…


The Philippine Gazette, Friday, 7 December 1945

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has reported the arrival on the island of Pata of the latest group of migrants to be settled under the Strategic Hamlets Program. The party included thirty-eight married couples with sixty-three children, one-hundred forty-six single men and one-hundred twenty-one single women. The settlement on Pata, in Sulu, is one of the most ambitious efforts undertaken by the Ministry and bids fair to support the continued economic development of the province.

The Philippine Herald, Editorial Page, Saturday, 8 December 1945

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the dastardly air attack carried out by Chinese aircraft on the city of Olongopo – an attack even more infamous for being carried out in time of truce. The nation must never forget the perfidy perpetrated that day by a nation ostensibly seeking peace. Since that time China has continued to show its belligerence to the world – its backing of bandits and rebels within our own borders, its unprovoked aggression against its peaceful neighbor Chosen, and in its most recent episode the interception of a French transport aircraft in international air space. The Government must continue its vigilance against this threat – one that will never disappear. The nation must be willing to continue its sacrifice to make possible a viable deterrent by land, sea, and air. Only by these means can the future of the Republic of the Philippines be assured.


The Bohol Chronicle, Wednesday, 12 December 1945

The destroyer Calamón entered dry-dock today to begin its refit. It is the last of the Navy’s flotilla craft scheduled for overhaul under the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization program and is expected to emerge early next year.

The Celebes Sea, 5 dgs 43 min North, 126 dgs, 21 min East, Thursday, 13 December 1945

The small convoy of three motor-sailers had departed the southern reaches of Mindanao in the late afternoon of the previous day – now, in the hours before dawn, they headed southeast as fast as they could. With the dawn might come aircraft of the infidel northerners, and after that perhaps their ships. To the two hundred Suluk aboard the ships that was a fate neigh unto death. Hounded by the infidel they now fled to the land of promise in the south.

The men among the migrants tended to their weapons; some owned rifles, others but a sword or knife. If confronted by the infidel they would fight. Below decks their wives and children steeled themselves for the lengthy voyage. If Allah wished they would find peace in their new home.


Manila Times, Monday, 17 December 1945

The Santa Cruz Timber Company announced today that it had acquired an additional twenty thousand hectares of prime timber lands in Mindanao, where it will erect a mill for processing mahogany and other logwood for export.