The atrocity was attributed to Japanese Colonel Masanobu Tsuji. Following Tsuji's abnormal order, which was considered to be a war crime and beyond his commission, the Japanese 122nd Regiment of 65th Brigade executed the US and Philippine soldiers in the Pantingan River.[4] Colonel Takeo Imai, of another Japanese regiment, doubted the authority of the order. Imai ignored the cruel order and did not execute anyone.[5][6][7]
Survivors of the massacre include Lt. Manuel Yan who later became the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and ambassador to Thailand. Another survivor, Capt. Ricardo Papa, a G-3 Officer of the 91st Division later became a Chief of Police in Manila.[8]
^Mariano Villarin, We remember Bataan and Corregidor: the story of the American & Filipino defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and their captivity (Gateway Press, 1990), 176.
^Norman, Michael & Norman, Elizabeth (2009-06-09). Tears in the Darkness (revised ed.). Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN978-0374272609 / Mr.Imai Takeo "Shinajihen No Kaisou" (in Japanese) P.178-180
^Mr.Imai Takeo "Shinajihen No Kaisou" (in Japanese) P.178-180
^Leocadio De Asis, The Thread of Fate: A Personal Story in Philippine-Japanese Relations (Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines: Philippine Foundation of Japan Alumni, 1986)., 16.