According to Gabby, the medicines the Japanese intercept and pass on to the Philippine Red Cross find their way back to camp — sold by Philippine Army doctors at exorbitant rates. "They ought to be court-martialed after the war," he said.

At 20:46 the local radio station interrupted its musical program to announce Japan's special communiqué on the Solomon Islands battle. Allied vessels sunk were put at 13 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 3 submarines, and 10 transports. Tokyo Radio repeated the news and followed with a German account of a Mediterranean battle. Allied ships claimed as lost and damaged in both actions total 61, including 3 carriers. Japanese losses were put at the original cruisers, "slightly damaged but able to continue in battle," and 21 Japanese planes "which expertly crashed-dived onto their objectives." Furthermore, U.S. editorials seem to be preparing the public for bad news on the Solomons. This is the worst news we've had since the beginning of the war. It's a strain to write tonight. I'm also battling a heavy cold and fever, yet I'm at home with food, medicines and all the care in the world — unlike our boys in Cabanatuan.

An announcement confirmed that Tanaka had replaced Homma as commander-in-chief in Manila; the latter just arrived in Tokyo.