Letter Not Recommending Recognition of Luansing Unit Supplementary Roster, January 1946
The Luansing Unit Fil-American Batangas Guerrillas were commanded by one Galicano Luansing and known loosely as the “Luansing’s Unit.” This guerrilla outfit was at one time or the other during the Japanese occupation affiliated with the Fil-American Irregular Troops and also the President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas. By the time the Allied forces return to the Philippines, it was operating independently. This unit assisted the United States Army in campaigns against the Japanese forces from Balayan, Batangas Town, Lipa, Rosario and San Juan. In this document1, one Lt. Charles Middleton Jr., filed a report officially recommending the non-recognition of the supplementary roster submitted by the Luansing Unit.
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
G-3 GUERRILLA AFFAIRS BRANCH
APO 707
In accordance with verbal orders from Chief of Guerrilla Affairs Branch, G-3, AFWESPAC, APO 707, Contact Team “E” removed from the files those guerrilla units which are not considered to need a formal investigation. Report is hereby rendered on the supplementary roster of the two (2) companies which was submitted by Galicano Luansing who has had one (1) company recognized.
Luansing was originally a member of Col. Straughn’s Fil-American Irregular Troops under Espina who organized most of Batangas Province. After Espina surrendered the first time to the Japanese, Luansing attempted to become autonomous. He operated in Southeastern Batangas in the towns of Rosario and San Juan. He had a group of approximately 100 men without regular firearms. Late in 1943, he became affiliated with President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas, who gave him arms and instructions on organizing. He became stronger for several months and then decided to repudiate PQOG. This caused friction and Luansing pulled out of Batangas with less than 50 men and joined one of Marking’s guerrilla camps in Laguna at the end of 1944. He became affiliated there for a short time but is not recommended by any of the Marking guerrillas. When the American forces came into Batangas, he returned and gathered a company of men for attachment to the 11th AB in March. This company, including Luansing, was recognized through the using unit of the American Army.
Contace Team “E” considers him as similar to many of the Batangas leaders who were more interested in personal aggrandizement than patriotism. The inability of such men to work in harmony with other guerrilla leaders was primarily responsible for the continuous bickering and lack of even nominal unification in the province of Batangas. The achievements of this unit prior to the arrival of the American forces appears to be nil. The men that were attached and served with the American Army have already been recognized as an independent command of Luansing’s.
Recommendation
Contact Team “E”
[p. 2]
Reasons for non recognition: