Letter of Col. Jorge Espina to Lt. Col Isaac Farol, March 1944
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 originally document1, Colonel Jorge Espina, who organized FAIT units in Batangas, gave instructions to somebody named Isaac, presumably Lt. Col. Isaac Farol.
[Originally handwritten.]
To: Isaac
1. I am appointing you as the officer directly in charge of all active men on duty to include all the Rosario men. I hold you responsible for the direct control and discipline of all men under Tibu, Facundo, Eje [not sure, blurred], Tito and all camps there. Let them know.
2. You already know what I’m doing here and no one but you must know about the thing we are putting here, not even our men. I’ll invite you to see the thing as soon as possible in 3 or 4 days.
3. Put one camp with [unreadable] in Mataas na Lupa, preferably Tibu and keep all our men from the road.
4. Here is a warning though – Don’t place any camps in Mapulo, Dagatan, Sico & Talumpok. If ever you’ll move camps, move to Piña so you’ll have the three barrios of Bucal, Sto. Niño and Piña for your main rifle camp. Whenever you move your main camp, move also the small camps. Messages will all be sent to Dagatan.
5. Spread the word among our men that I’m in Piña in order that the thing we are making here won’t be in danger.
6. Tell F. Eje, Tito and Tibu to concentrate on stocking plenty of rice and deposit all palay and rice in Mataas na Lupa.
7. Avoid contact with any Japs troops and if there will be any eliminations done, do it in Lipa. Don’t do any elimination in Rosario. If ever you get any spy in Rosario, just kidnap him.
8. I’ll be waiting for your answer, and this time these orders are to be followed strictly to the letter. According to Visaya men, Umali’s propaganda is fake. They are promising 1st recognition to us in Luzon. So be patient.
Regards,