THE STORY OF KABOLA, part 2

Kabola added more "perks" to his prospective members. Fully aware of the common man's fascination with conspiratorial fraternities, he evolved elaborate initiation rites and intricate symbolism for the Kapisanan membership. Entrants were required to pay a 3.20 peso-membership enrollment fee, to endure an innoculation with a diluted mercury solution, to take a solemn Katipunan-style oath and to abide by complex regulations designed to maintain the organization's secrecy. They were also required to acquire weapons and to prepare colorful uniforms for the impending struggle for liberation. The diluted mercury inoculation is supposed to grant invulnerability to the member.

In the beginning Kabola's caution yielded dividends. He and his aides began to sport the trappings of prosperity. Despite mounting suspicion provincial authorities remained in the dark concerning the society and its violent goals. Lengthening Kapisanan membership rolls testified to the supremo Kabola's success.Within a year, 1,500 farmers in four provinces joined the patriotic movement and approximately ten times that much had become symphatizers.

Assuming the title "General in Chief", Kabola -- splendid in military shirt, riding breeches, cavalry boots and side arms-- inspired his followers with periodic inspection trips to remote barrios. According to a March 5, 1924 issue of the Philippine Free Press, Kabola sold ranks in his liberation Army to members of his organization. The 3.20 pesos initiation fee assured a classification rank of a "private." Higher categories and their respective prices are: corporal, P5.20; sergeant,P8.20; lieutenant, P10.20; captain, P15.20; major P20.20;colonel, P30.20 and general, P50.20. The 20 centavo-charge covered the cost of the diluted mercury inoculation. By mid1924, many of his village adherents believed they represented the new future of the Philippine Islands.

Again, the poor peasantry were deceived. Kabola's sudden affluence arouse the curiosity of the Nueva Ecija's politicians and policemen. When surveillance failed to produce evidence of illegalities, they resorted to a more subtle detection method. They hired paid informers. In December 1924, the authorities gathered a body of information about Kabola and his association. It was then that some government agents ( PC spies ) inflitrated the ranks of the supposedly secret organization. In short, intrigue produced counter intrigue. Before Kabola recognized what was happening, he had been outplayed in his own game..

Kabola's final demise started early in March 1925. His followers started to become impatient. They wanted Kabola to make good of his promises: land, prosperity and all. So, liking it or not, Kabola laid plans for an insurrection to take place on the midnight of March 5-6, 1925...San Jose, Nueva Ecija was to be the primary target. When the municipality was captured, Kabola figured, the victorious Kapisanes would punish official malefactors, redistribute the land and proclaim Independence. This plot seemed so easy and feasible when discussing it. But there was nothing in the way of follow up operations. There was no PLAN B..--

(to be continued )