The headline said it all: "BRITISH SURRENDER — BATTLE FOR SINGAPORE ENDS." The news blackened Manila's spirit. A few were even critical of the British, though not the Americans, despite the non-appearance of their fleet in 68 days.

A press article instructing civilians on how to deal with sentries acknowledged the friction between both, and managed to artfully blame the civilians because some "sought to abuse sentries"!

Instead of adding outlets, the office issuing Japanese residence certificates moved to the Macondray Building in Muelle de Magallanes to allow more space for the ever-growing suffering crowd.