Report on the Occupation of Calaca by the Gagalac Guerrillas, Feb 45 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

The Gagalac Guerrilla Group was one of the groups operating in Batangas that was given official recognition by the United States Army after World War II. In this February 1945 document, guerrilla commander Filomeno Gagalac reported to Lt. Col. James Farren of Guerrilla Headquarters in Nasugbu of his unit’s occupation of the municipality of Calaca. The document is edited here and there for grammar, spelling and punctuation.

[p. 1]

EXHIBIT “H”

GAGALAC GUERRILLA UNIT
SINISIAN² HEADQUARTERS

22 Feb. 1945

SUBJECT TO

: Report of Occupation of Calaca Municipality : Lt. Col. James H. Farren, Guerrilla Headquarters, Nasugbu, Batangas

In accordance with the verbal instruction of Lt Carl Rogers to the undersigned, I have the honor to report that the Municipality of Calaca has on this date been occupied by the GAGALAC GUERRILLA Organization. Our forces are at present stationed at the Central School Building of the municipality. We understand that an immaterial number of Japs are scattered in the barrios and our soldiers are doing mopping up operations. It is hoped that we will be able in a reasonable time to clear up the entire municipality.

In this connection, and inasmuch as we have occupied already the Municipality of Calaca, we are recommending the appointment of Mr. Antonio Catapat as Military Mayor of this municipality. This recommendation bears the approval of the officers of the Gagalac Guerrilla Organization and it is strongly recommended that his appointment be approved.

(Sgd.) Lt. Col. FILOMENO GAGALAC

CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:

[Sgd.] FILOMENO GAGALAC

Notes and references:
¹ File Number 278, United States National Archives, downloaded from page Gagalac Guerrilla Unit, Philippine Veteran Association Office.
² Sinisian is a barrio in “Lemery, Batangas,” Wikipedia.