When we were in the province of Pampanga we were met by lots of people on both sides of the road who had come from the provinces to look for surviving relatives.
Along the way we passed by a house close to the road with very kind hearts throwing or pitching turnips and sugar cane pieces to us.
Naturally, there was a commotion as the marchers tried to catch or pick up the precious sources of water and food. Those who were lucky to catch or pick up a turnip or piece of cane were very happy.
But when our guards noticed the commotion, they fired shots to keep us going, then entered the house with fixed bayonets and started stabbing the people there; boys, girls, father, and mother killed.
I was not able to catch or pick up any of the precious pieces of food thrown to us but I pity very much those who got killed trying to help us.
(Now there has been erected in Kissimmee, Florida, a bronze life-size monument honoring the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor with an American soldier and Philippine solder being depicted helping each other walk, being given a cup of water by a Filipino. It is believed that the Filipino was bayoneted by the Japanese guard and killed for giving water.)
Further down the road we saw vendors of food in brown paper bags. They were showing us it contained rice and a ball of brown sugar.
My mouth started to salivate and so I rushed to grab two bags as I handed the vendor two pesos and then pushed back to the ranks and formation. Joselito and I were happily anticipating a good meal. What contents were inside? Sand and stone!
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