TY  - BOOK
AU  - Agoncillo, Teodoro A.
TI  - The Burden of proof : : the Vargas-Laurel collaboration case / 
SN  - 9711050102 (hardbound)
PY  - 1984///
CY  - Manila : 
PB  - University of the Philippines Press
KW  - Laurel, Jose Policarpio, 
KW  - Vargas, Jorge Bocobo, 
KW  - Philippines
KW  - History
KW  - Japanese occupation, 1942-1945
N2  - A researched study by a prominent Filipino historian who lived through the period.

Agoncillo briefly outlines the saga of Jorge B. Vargas, as Chairman of the Philippine Executive Commission, and Jose P. Laurel, president of the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic. Agoncillo’s main focus, however, is on events afterwards: the evacuation of Laurel, his family and close officials to Baguio, thence to Taiwan and to Japan; imprisonment by the Americans after the end of the war (without charge), and the trial of Laurel, Vargas and other ranking suspected collaborators by the Peoples’ Court, for treason. Agoncillo is partial to the accused and explains the conditions they had to face while under the Japanese.

An important appendix to the book is Vargas’ diary while in Sugamo prison in Tokyo. Not only does Vargas write about his – and his fellow prisoners’ – daily lives, but also their thoughts and memories about the Japanese occupation. - Prof. Ricardo T. Jose
ER  -