THE "GREAT" MACHINE GUN

The "Great" Machine Gun
(The Role of Pampilo Rint in Acquiring it)

One big problem of the residents during the Japanese occupation was lack of firearms. Everybody was thinking of ways on how to acquire them to secure the community better. An important idea popped-up and was suggested by ANSELMO (MEMONG) JECIEL (Son of Ex-Governor Reymundo Jeciel) sometime in 1944 just before the actual battle at the Alfonso Poblacion.

He had an ROTC friend in San Andres who told him about a machine gun in their headquarters which they would be willing to exchange for a handier Tommy gun. Memong told his companions about it and practical strategy on how to get and bring home the machine gun was immediately planned.

PAMFILO RINT and CONRADO HERNAIS (Son of Mayor Hernais) were assigned to bring the Tommy gun to Manila, They placed the Tommy gun inside a native “BAY-ONG” then covered it with “sayote” fruits as they traveled with some Japanese in one 6X6 truck carrying other fruits and foods to Manila.

On the way, Pamfilo Rint nervously tried his best to conceal the “Bay-ong” with the gun until they reached San Andres Rotunda where it was brought down then carried to the ROTC Headquarters.

The duo then went to the office of Mr. Hammond Buck at Quezon Blvd., Quiapo where RAMON OROSA was already waiting. They discussed the matter with Buck’s truck driver. It took all of Ramon’s persuasive know-how before the driver agreed. Meantime, Memong and Pamping took the machine gun and brought it to Mr. Buck’s office without telling him about it. Only the fearful driver was in connivance with the young fighters.

Coincidentally, the following morning, Pamping’s brother, FRANCISCO RINT arrived from Aparri bringing with him dried fishes in a medium-sized bamboo basket (BALAONG). It was there where Pamping placed the machine gun covered by dried fish.

With Mr. Hammond Buck traveling with them unaware of the machine gun, the trip was full of tensions and apprehensions which started in Baclaran when a Japanese guard stopped them and pierced the “Balaong” all around with his bayonet as a matter of routine procedure. The “gang” was breathless during that moment and thanks God, the guard miraculously didn’t hit the gun inside.

When the truck reached Tagaytay it was again stopped by a Japanese sentry near Taal Vista Lodge. He was borrowing the truck. Mr. Buck agreed but requested that the truck be unloaded first of all its contents. The “balaong” with the gun was somewhat heavy and so Pamping stupidly pulled out the gun. When it was seen by Mr. Buck he almost collapsed. He blew his top and scolded the whole “barakada”. He could have been beheaded had it been discovered by the Japanese.

It was temporarily hidden behind thick “Los Baños” plants before it was brought to the nearby house where it was taken out the following morning and carried to the Orosa house. News about it spread fast and the whole town rejoiced. It boosted the morale of the community. It was surrounded by a mob of curious onlookers when it was first tried. Suddenly everyone felt brave and secured. True enough, when the actual battle came in January 1945 it was used against the Japanese who retaliated with their “chic-bung” that hit the roof of the Orosa residence.

After the liberation when the “Hukbalahaps” were very active, a truck full of them reached Alfonso. The machine gun was borrowed by Quintin Gumiit. There was no encounter and the machine gun was kept at the municipal building. It was finally confiscated by General Mascardo of BCT.
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Data about the machine gun was provided by Pamfilo Rint of Alfonso, Cavite who was then a member of the Philippine-American Guerilla when the author interviewed him on August 13, 1986. Pamping is a close relative of Hipolito Rint, a hero of the Philippine Revolution.

From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.