The Japanese messages on the quest for recovery of the “Koga Papers”
The book “The Koga Papers” written by the Cebuano war hero, Colonel Manuel F. Segura documents how the portfolio containing secret papers of Admiral Mineichi Koga, Commander-on-Chief of Japan’s Imperial Navy, came into the hands of the guerillas of the Cebu Area Command. Here is the message on the leaflets airdropped in guerilla territory, addressed to its legendary American commander whom Colonel Segura served as an aide:
“Japanese Naval Headquarters, Cebu
May 17, 1944
Mr. James Cushing:
I, as the commander of the Imperial Japanese Naval Garrison of Cebu, am sending you the following important message to you.
1. The Imperial Japanese Navy is taking the serious consideration against you in view of the guerrilla-like and inhuman treatment by your men of the passengers and crew of our seaplane which made forced landing off San Fernando, Cebu on April 1, 1944. Therefore, we demand that you immediately carry out the following:
2. Return unconditionally until the noon of May 30, 1944, all the documents, bags and clothes either picked up from the said seaplane or robbed of the passengers and crew to the Mayor of San Fernando for safekeeping.
3. We notify you that in case when you fail to fulfill our demand stated in the second clause, the Imperial Japanese Navy will resort to drastically severe method against you.
Takeshi Watanabe
Commander of the Imperial Japanese Naval Garrison of Cebu”
A follow-up message dated May 30, 1944 by the Japanese was made, addressed again to Colonel Cushing. The Japanese were not contended by the reply of Cushing on May 28. It made an ultimatum that Cushing come to the Japanese forces with a white flag until the evening of May 30, 1944. The prequel of the book of Colonel Segura, “Tabunan,” explains that the discovery of the Koga Papers, due it vital information, triggered the execution of the plan of General Douglas MacArthur in liberating the Philippines, as said in his promise “I shall return.”
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