Chapter 63: Proper Governor
The province of Marinduque had six towns—Boac, Mogpog, Sta. Cruz, Torrijos, Gasan, and Buenavista. But only three of these were major settlements; the rest were remote and of relatively low value, though still useful.
Boac was the provincial capital and the administrative heart of the island. It was the seat of the Casa Real, and housed the governor and the majority of the island’s elite families. Its central location also provided easy access to the other settlements. Keeping it as the cabecera and designating it as the logistical headquarters would be wise.
Sta. Cruz, on the other hand, was the agricultural hub of the province. It was home to vast rice fields and the largest labor pool in Marinduque, making it ideal both for requisitioning food and conscripting men for the war effort. Additionally, the expansive flatlands that allowed for large-scale farming also made it ideal for constructing training camps and drill fields. Therefore, the town could serve as our main source of supplies, as well as the recruitment and training center.
The third town was Mogpog, the most defensible among the three. Unlike Boac and Sta. Cruz, which sat near the coast, Mogpog was farther inland—making it less vulnerable to naval landings and out of reach of American warships. Its rugged, mountainous terrain further strengthened its defensive value. It was the most ideal site to fortify and build a military headquarters.
I discussed this ambitious plan in the conference room immediately after the morning march.
By the end of the presentation, the chalkboard was covered in scribbles, and the audience was abuzz with energy. All of them enthusiastically approved.
But planning was the easiest part. For the plan to come to life, I would need to enforce martial law in all three towns. As it stood, I had only around a hundred barely trained men and a political mandate that was more symbolic than solid.
I had subconsciously—and unwisely—assumed that the war would not break out until I had at least two or three hundred trained soldiers under my command. But alas, war had come early.
And now, I had to make do with what I had.