WARRIOR:

HONOURABLE DENNIS
MESA’AO MOLINTAS
A TELL OF DESTINY

Bust of the Honourable Major Dennis Molintas is found at Camp Dangwa La Trinidad

In a time when weapons were not of avail, the courage of the warrior was literally a
savage spirit in battle. The belief in a warrior and its parallel concepts defined a brave
experienced fighter, essentially of interest in former times. Distinctive of the Ybaloi ethnic
group, the warrior is regarded superior with elite social status of mythical quality. A warrior
is expected to possess the discipline to exert both mentally and physically to triumph in
conflict with a competent adversary; in decisive protection of tribe and ancestral homeland of
equal importance. A life deliberately placed in danger rather momentously for the
propagation of kin; shows to say that the survival or extinction of a tribe is what constitutes
the incontestable rudiments of traditional knowledge—thus the veneration of The Warrior.
 Ybaloi is one among the ethnic groups of north Philippines. Ygolottes is the Spanish
term for the prejudice for mountain dwellers both pagan and said ignorant. Over the Spanish
era 1521-1898, the highland territories had not been cowed by the crown of Spain. As a
matter of fact, the Ybaloi endured several genocide expeditions with significant loss of
warriors, which continued with prolonged isolation and marginalisation that developed into
generations of assimilation and conventions of dismissive by the change of hands at helm.
Between 1826 and 1839, Lieutenant-Colonel Guillermo Galvey was Comandancia General
del Pais de los Igorrotes. During the decade of command by Galvey, disparaging expeditions
against the Ybaloi occurred and recalled as:
The greatest loss of life and property ever suffered by any one group of Filipinos during
the Spanish regime; Colonel Guillermo Galvey, cut down Igorot crops by the hectares,
burned houses by the hundreds, and decimated the population with smallpox by the
thousands. By 1840, La Trinidad's 500 houses had been reduced to less than a hundred; by
1860, there was no Igorot community of more than 250 persons in the entire Agno Valley;
and by 1880 all the rice terraces southwest of Kiangan were abandoned due to disease.
Whatever effect these excursions may have had upon the relationships between the highland
and lowland protagonists involved, they certainly helped the former to become a minority
statistically.

A non-Christian State Scholar

Honourable Major Dennis Masa'ao Molintas was a savvy intellectual and inordinate
leader-with or without authority. His leadership and acts of courage compelled duty of many,
many tribe warriors during the final battles in the capture of Japanese General Tomoyuki
Yamashita, as fact instrumental closure of World War II.

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

 It was destiny. Dennis was Principal of a Settlement Farm School when appointed by
American Lieutenant Colonels who had escaped capture in Bataan: Arthur Noble and Martin
Moses. Dennis was to form the 12th Infantry Regiment over the course of war; responding
the fall of Bataan. Note this occurrence is within the duration the Philippine Islands
surrender of Allied forces in May 1942 after the Fall of Bataan in April; and MacArthur's
return in October 1944.

Alfred W. McCoy writes: Lieutenant Colonel Mosses established an “An Anarchy of

Families' of paired leaders and units for USAFIP-NL: Governor Ablan and Praeger in
Apayao; Enriquez's 14th Infantry in Nueva Vizcaya; George Barnett in La Union; Robert
Lapham and Charles Cushing in Pangasinan and Neuva Ecija; and Dennis Molintas in
Benguet-from October 1 of 1942.”

From the narratives of the Bataan Diary Website, a weakening leadership clout by the
American military men is illustrated. This followed by the apparent stronghold of tribe
headman in the battleground: "Having escaped from Bataan, Lt. Col. Martin Moses and Lt.
Col. Arthur Noble founded their guerrilla command in the northern mountains near Baguio.
They contacted Philippine Army commanders in the area who had refused to surrender and
guerrilla organizers from Col. Thorp's organization, and began to plan a major strike
against the Japanese. On October 15, 1942, they attacked the Japanese-owned Itogon Mines
near Baguio and held the area for more than a week. The Japanese counter-attacked with
infantry and tanks and drove the guerrillas back into the mountains, then took heavy
reprisals on the civilian villages in the area. Moses and Noble retreated into headhunter
country, and began to collect intelligence data to send to General MacArthur. These men
were tracked down by the Japanese and captured in June 1943, then executed. Elements of
the Moses-Noble command became independent units or were taken over by Russell
Volckmann's USFIP-NL. The United States Forces in the Philippines—Northern Luzon,
organized by the American Guerilla Captain Russell Volckmann, developed into the largest
and best organized guerrilla operations in Luzon, and one of the most ruthless.”

The Honourable Major Dennis Masa'ao Molintas became the Commanding Officer of the
66th Infantry Regiment in 1944. Apparently for two reasons: First, Russell Volckman was
Captain and Molintas was Major at the time of execution of Colonels Moses and Noble.
Secondly, Captain Volckman could not match a tribeman's mastery of territory. The
Regiment composition by Volckmann combines the 1st Battalion of 43rd Infantry Regiment,
2nd Battalion of the 11th Infantry Regiment, and the 3rd Battalion of the 12th Infantry
Regiment (43+11+12=66). The Regiment was based in Kapangan; of what is now known as
Camp Utopia, and popular for the personification of the creed: To be nowhere, yet
everywhere.

Jerry Holden for the Hyper War Foundation transcribed and US Army Manuscript War
in the Pacific, Chapter XXIX Pursuit in Northern Luzon, synthesized to read: On the
northwest and west, opposition was stronger and better organized. Here the 15th Infantry
finally secured the Sabangan junction of Routes 4 and 11 on 9 July, and on the next day the
11th Infantry occupied Bontoc. The 19th Division's defenses in the Lepanto Mines-Mankayan
area began to fall apart before attacks of the 66th Infantry on 10 July; Mankayan fell on the
20th. The 66th Infantry secured the junction of Routes 11 and 393 at KP 90 on 25 July,
making contact the same day with troops of the 15th Infantry coming down Route 11 from
Sabangan. The 19th Division now began withdrawing into the upper Agno Valley to block the

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

northern, western, and southern approaches to Toccucan, at the western end of Yamashita's
last-stand area in the Asin Valley. The 15th and 121st Regiments immediately began attacks
toward Toccucan, but found the 19th Division remnants still capable of effective resistance.
By 15 August these leading units were four miles short of Toccucan on the northwest and a
mile and a half short on the west.

Meanwhile, the 66th Infantry had struck south from KP 90 along Route 11 to make
contact with troops of the 32d Division, coming north from KP 21. The clearing of Route 11
north from Baguio had become a matter of pressing urgency because the heavy summer rains
were making it nearly impossible to supply either by airdrop or over tortuous Route 4 from
the west coast. Mixed forces of the 58th IMB and the 19th Division held along Route 11,
having principal defenses located in the vicinity of Gambang, about five miles south of KP
90.

The battleground in the capture of General Tomoyuki Yamashita

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

 On 29 July, the 66th Infantry and the 127th Infantry 32d Division, finally made contact.
The two regiments next swung eastward into the Agno Valley near Buguias and initiated a
drive south along the valley to gain contact with the 126th Infantry 23d Division, coming
north up the valley from Ambuclao and Bokod. Starting off on 1 August, the 126th Infantry
found few signs of the 23d Division, which had melted away eastward into the inhospitable
Cordillera Central.

On 8 August the 126th and 127th Regiments made contact near Buguias and were
preparing a drive toward Toccucan when hostilities ended. On the east side of the Shobu
Group's last-stand area, while the 6th Division was making its strongest effort an attack
toward Kiangan, elements of the division struck north up Route 4 and reached Banaue on 20
July. Meanwhile, troops of the 66th Infantry had started south along Route 4 from Bontoc
and on 21 July made contact with the 1st Infantry 6th Division, at Polis Pass, five miles north
of Banaue. This contact, coupled with that between 66th Infantry and 32d Division units on
Route 11 eight days later, marked the complete encirclement of the Shobu Group last-stand
area.

Molintas with President Ferdinand Marcos (left) President Diosdado Macapagal (Right)

Much of the tell upturns the idea of a fairy-tale tale turned into a warrior fable "It was the
Igorots who trekked in supplies and ferried out wounded and dead U.S. soldiers from steep
areas inaccessible to Army vehicles. Igorot scouts struck at enemy supply dumps and boldly
rode on the fronts of tanks attacking the Japanese. Their bravery was legendary." Gen.
Douglas MacArthur praised them, saying”Many desperate acts of courage and heroism have
fallen under my observation on many fields of battle in many parts of the world. I have seen
forlorn hopes become realities. I have seen last-ditch stands and innumerable acts of

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

personal heroism that defy description. But for sheer breath-taking and heart-stopping
desperation, I have never known the equal of those Igorots riding the tanks. Gentlemen, when
you tell the story stand in tribute to those gallant Igorots.”

Beneath formidable bravery, Dennis was a man such compassionate with tribe folk and
fellows. Written in the WWII Memoirs of Ifugao Deputy Governor Luis I. Pawid: "Kiangan
suffers thousand pounds bombs on March 20, 1945, three planes were seen flying over
Kiangan and Nayun vicinities. I received a letter from Major Dennis Molintas of the 66th
Infantry, Benguet area, informing me that my house in La Trinidad is intact; and that some of
the relatives of my wife were killed by the Japanese."

Of course, no one was exempt from the bitter sense of unjust atrocities of war. His old
man Ogues and sister Juana Molintas-Suayan took unspeakable sacrifices to conceal
positions of the 66th Infantry Commanding Officer. Both were turned in to the Japanese by a
local town official, to signal for retreat. Such idiocrasy begot a harsh assassination in public
by the end of war; yet hardly had it smelt the deeper wound of treachery.

One peculiar of the Ybaloi, is leadership is sought in the brave rather than the wealthy.
The following men whose deeds once as brave warriors are looked up to as deities: Amdagan,
Balitok, Bangon, Bangan and Bulian; Daongan, Gatan, Kabigat, and Lumawig; Moan,
Montes, Obag, and Obagobagan; Wigwigan and Wigan. An ancient traditional chant in
honour of the warriors is recorded in the Nabaloi Law and Ritual. The chant narrates the
bitter hardship encountered by the warrior in protection of the tribe; the glorious victories and
appreciation.

Rituals indicative of reverence to the warrior include the Bindayan and Tigiting; Pachit,
Chawak and Bayjok; Batbat and Saad; Kapi and Amdag; Sagausau and Nansaang; Basil,
Diau kasib and Sabosab; Abasang and Pungau. Rituals are performed also for the natural
gods: Sun, moon, stars, thunder, rock and wind.

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

 Dennis Masa'ao Molintas was born on August 17, 1907 at Daclan Bokod Benguet and
married Carmen Sabaoan of Kapangan Benguet. They had two children Dennis Molintas Jr
and Lourdes Molintas-Cole (Woman standing on the right is the wife of his son, Donatela
Ramirez who is daughter of Colonel Sabbath Ramirez).

The war changed the course of life of a farmer, professor and state scholar.

1918 Completed his primary course at the Bokod Central School

1921 Completed intermediate schooling at the La Trinidad Agricultural School
1925 Completed the high school course at the La Trinidad Agricultural School
1925-1926 An assigned classroom-teacher by the Bureau of then Public School at
Kabayan

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

1927-1928 Assigned at Lao Settlement Farm School (Barrio Laoangan
Kapangan). Since 1914 the Bureau of Education under Commonwealth
Government, provided special insular aid to the Mountain Province
and other non-Christian provinces with settlement farm schools. The
schools operated to reduce tribal antagonism, and provide assistance to
provincial authorities.

1928 Selected State Scholar under the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes

1934 Completed his college degree at the University of the Philippines,

College of Agriculture for the degree of Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture and a certificate in Agricultural Education.

Molintas introduced langka, cocoa, star apple, avocado and the

Zamboanga coffee variety; tucked in an immaculately beautiful
orchard pastureland sprawl on two ancestral holdings.

1944-1945 Commanding Officer of the 66th Infantry Regiment

1946-1949 Appointed as Governor of the Old Mountain Province in the re-

establishment of the Republic of the Philippines by President Manuel
Roxas on August 12, 1946. The Old Mountain Province back then
comprised of the Sub-province of Apayao and the Sub-province of
Bontoc; the Sub-province of Kalinga and the Sub-province of Ifugao;
Baguio City and the Sub-province of Benguet.

1949-1953 Elected Congressman of the Second District of the Old Mountain

Province, for the Second Congress of the Philippines, composed of the
Philippine Senate and House of Representatives from December 30,
1949, until December 8, 1953. District Two of the Old Mountain
Province comprised of Baguio City and the Sub-province of Benguet.
Nonetheless, the Honourable Major Dennis Molintas lost in electoral
protest in 1951 that pre-empted tenure.

1952 Military Intelligence Services of Secretary of National Defence Ramon

Magsaysay. Molintas later on served as Presidential Technical
Assistant of President Elpidio Quirino.

Post-war disturbances painstaking duty for military intelligence was

counter-insurgency. Editor of the AFP's Office of Strategic and Special
Studies Digest, Rino Francisco, wrote in 2013: *The security
challenge the Philippines faced in 1950 as a newly independent
Republic of the Philippines, was a full-blown rebellion from the
Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon or Hukbalahap, that first emerged in
Central Luzon during the Second World War. Government efforts to
end the rebellion from 1946 were largely unsuccessful, described as
poor leadership and morale leading to a lack of discipline and
manifested in the abuse of civilians by the military. The abolition of
the Huk Rebellion through a series of reforms and military victories
concluded in 1954.

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas

 April 1956 Appointed as Board Member of the Old Mountain Province by
President Diosdado Macapagal

1964-1968 Elected Vice Governor of the Old Mountain Province. In 1966

Molintas vacates his former position as Vice-Governor of the old
Mountain Province; Pio Felwa, senior member of the provincial board
of the old Mountain Province is retained by legislation. "In view of the
divisions effected by said Act, the old Mountain Province is reduced to
the category of a sixth-class province. Molintas as Vice-Governor of
the old Mountain Province and subordinate of Governor Lamen, has
become the Governor of Benguet established as a second class
province."

1966-1968 Transitional Governor by way of succession for the creation of the

province of Benguet, in accordance with Republic Act No. 4695
enacted on June 18, 1966.

——————————————
Notes
*Following military containment of the central Luzon rebellion, Ramon Magsaysay became the seventh
President of the Philippines in 1954.

*The story of Colonels Moses and Noble is included in Bataan Diary.

*Russell William Volckmann was the Army infantry officer and a leader of the Philippine Commonwealth
military and guerrilla resistance to the Japanese conquest of the Philippines during World War II. Volckmann
obtained the rank Brigadier General and created the US Army Special Forces after completing studies in
military science at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

References
*Agoot, L., 2019. PVAO to correct erroneous Yamashita 'surrender' story. Philippines News Agency, 4
September. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079506, Accessed on January 13, 2020

* Barton, R., 1919. Ifugao Law. American Archaeology and Ethnology , 15(1), pp.1-186.
* Finin, G., 2007. The Making of the Igorot: Contours of Cordillera consciousness. Honolulu: University
of Hawaii Press

* Francisco, Rino, 2013 AFP's Office of Strategic and Special Studies (OSS) Digest
* https://amerigorot.blogspot.com/2014/09/
* https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/02/01/official-month-in-review-february-1956/

* Indigenous Survival International, 2011: Statement on Indigenous peoples and conservation. In Affairs,
Arctic Environment: Indigenous Perspectives. Copenhagen: International Work Group for Indigenous
Affairs

*Kristoffer Esquejo 2018: Family and Politics in an Archipelagic Province: The Moreno Dynasty in
Postwar Romblon, 1949-1969. Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies
* Mike Guardia (2010) American Guerrilla
* Moss, C., 1920. Nabaloi law and ritual. American Archaelogy and Ethnology, 15(3), pp.207-342
* Scott, W., 1976: An Historian Looks into the Philippine Kaleidoscope. Philippine Studies, 24(2)
* Steinman, Louise (1997) Repaying a Debt Never Forgotten. Los Angeles Times
* Webster, N., 1709: Ethos. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated Merriam Webster Collegiate
Dictionary Cambridge University Press, 1995: Warrior.

// Synthesis by Dominique Trual Molintas