Original in Tagalog Philippine Insurgent Records

My Most Esteemed Miong Emilio: At eight o'clock this morning, two infantry soldiers voluntarily surrendered themselves with their respective rifles. One of them is an orderly and the other a cook, and say that they stole the rifles which they have surrendered from parties from Malabon and Tansa, who came down with soldiers. It seems that someone else wants to get hold of the rifles, and to this end, I wish you to send me some order in answer to my request.

I understand that they wish that every man who voluntarily surrendered himself with his rifle must go to the barracks instead of coming to this Headquarters: and in order to avoid the possibility of causing any trouble, I beg you to issue a circular order to all the pueblos, empowering the authorities thereof to deal with the soldiers who surrender in case these may come under respective jurisdictions. There is a good deal of jealousy among these gentlemen over here; they want to grab every rifle coming to the town. I believe that you already know the number of rifles which are in our possession over here. eight of which are with the Secretary of War and five were left at Noveleta, besides those which are with the "Supremo." But who is the leader, who is not contemplating some ends of his own?

The "Supremo" is at Limbon just now. This man is behaving himself in a very aggravating manner, and the inhabitants are very much grieved at it. If things continue as they are now, I fear they will inaugurate brigandage in this country, with all its sequels.

With best regards, I remain always, truly yours,

(Signed) Pepe

March 24, 1897