2 May 1943
On 2 May 1943, Glan, Cotabato, was invaded by a contingent of one hundred Japs and seventy Moros believed to be the followers of SINSUAT (a prominent Moro in Cotabato) and pro-Jap volunteer guards. They used several launches and one gunboat supported by a plane, effecting landing on two points: Glan-Paidu and Glan proper. It was the first real encounter between the guerrillas in Glan and the enemy.
Lasting for three days, it was carried on from the coast and to the hills of Glan. Guerrilla leader NICOLAS VILLAMOR and his one hundred men retreated to Malita a nearby town, leaving the units under Capts ROMAN AQUINO and V. S. BILBAO, both guerrilla leaders of Glan, to take charge of the defense of the area.
Maj HERBERT PACE took personal command of the situation. The beach encounter which was hotly fought caused many enemy casualties. Continuous sniping in the hinterland of Glan increased the number of enemy casualties, total of which remained unverified. No casualties were suffered by the guerillas.
However, being outnumbered and under armed, they retreated to their headquarters at Tubal Mts., thus allowing the enemy to occupy Glan without further opposition.
Source: History of the Mindanao Guerrillas by the American Guerrillas of Mindanao (AGOM) Unpublished Manuscript
