From: Manila (Nihro)
To: Tokyo
November 12, 1941
Purple
#754
According: to a report
handed on to me by a Japanese who has lived in the Province of Ilocos Norte for
some fourteen or fifteen years? the following has been ascertained.
1. At the present time
there are approximately 400 Philippine soldiers and seven or eight officers
stationed in Laoag. [a] It is being rumored, however, that the Philippine
troops will be increased to approximately 1,700. At the present time they are
constructing additional barracks.
2. There seems to be no
indication that they plan the expansion of the present civil airport in Laoag
(length, 1,200 metres; width, 850 metres) nor are they stationing any military
planes at that field. Aside from a reconnaissance flight nightly (one plane)
over the coastal area in the vicinity of the city, no extensive activity is in
progress.
3. Though it is said that
Claveria [b] and Burgos [b] are being equipped with ----- -----, the details
are unknown. (I am continuing my private investigations in this connection.)
ARMY 25064 Trans. 11/21/41 (6)[a] Seaport in the Province of Ilocos Norte on the Island of Luzon, P. I. [b] Towns on the northern shore of the Island of Luzon, P. I.
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 2 JAPANESE MESSAGES CONCERNING MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, SHIP MOVEMENTS, ETC.)