Letter Informing the Mataasnalupa Unit of Non-Recognition, June 1946
The Mataasnalupa Guerrilla Unit was supposedly a small guerrilla outfit operating in the then-municipality of Lipa during the Japanese Occupation of Batangas up to the liberation of the province. It was commanded by one Julian Morada. This unit failed to obtain official recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. In this particular document1, one. Lt. Col. W. P. Moore of the Adjutant General’s Office of the Philippines-Ryukyus Command informed Morada of his unit’s non-recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces.
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
[p. 1]
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
|
SUBJECT TO |
: Recommendation : Whom it may concern: |
Mr. Julian Morada
Lipa, Batangas
Dear Mr. Morada:
The “Mataasnalupa Guerrilla Unit,” purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.
A set of general requirements for guerrilla recognition, established by General MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines, has been used as a guide in considering the record of this unit. After careful investigation and full consideration of all available substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. A definite organization was not maintained.
d. Adequate records were not maintained (names, ranks, dates of enlistement or joining, dates of promotions, and necessary related information).
e. Performance of the unit did not indicate adequate control by its leaders because of
(1) The fact that the unit was to be kept so secretive that the members of the unit did not have knowledge as to who the other members were.
f. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activities and organization.
g. Members of the unit did not devote their entire effort to military activities in the field to the exclusion of normal civilian occupation and family obligations.
h. Many members apparently lived at home supporting their families by means of farming or other civilian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
[p. 2]
i. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68, by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 September 1945, copy attached.
Sincerely yours,
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
1 Incl:
Executive Order No. 68
M/R
Lt. Col. H. L. Shaftoe
1. The “Mataasnalupa Guerrilla Unit,” consisting of 139 officers and enlisted men under the command of Julian Morada has not been favorably considered for recognition.
2. Basis for non-recognition:
a. The Unit did not serve in the field as a unit, nor did the members devote their entire effort to military activities.
b. Many members lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming, assisting the guerrilla unit only in the passing of propaganda by “word of mouth.”
c. The unit did not comprise an effective, cohesive military unit, nor did the unit have adequate control.
d. A definite organization was not established and adequate records were not maintained.
e. The Unit was not attached to any American Unit and was an independent unit not being attached to or working with any of the larger units operating in the same area.
f. The Unit did absolutely nothing to contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
VS/
Notes and references:
1 “The Mataasnalupa Guerrilla Unit,” online at the United States National Archives.