Lt. Emilio Bulusan's Report on the Burning of Rosario, 4 March 1945

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. Emilio Bulusan reported to the Regimental Commander events that transpired when the Japanese burned the town of Rosario the previous day.

[p. 1]

UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
BATANGAS GUERRILLAS
Headquarters, 1^st Guer. Infantry
In the Field

4 March 45

SUBJECT
TO

: Intelligence
: The Regimental Commander, 1st Guer., Inf.

1. That on 3 March 45 at 6:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. of the following day, the town of Rosario proper was burned by the barbarous Japs.

2. That the main provincial road suffered the greatest from east to west direction. The houses that were saved by the Divine Providence, due perhaps to good luck are:

(a) On the Provincial [road?] South-side:

(1) Only around eight (8) houses were saved, these include the house of Dr. Crisanto Gualberto (Mayor of Rosario).

(b) On the Provincial [road?] North-side:

(1) From Mr. Tomas Tagle’s house, except the Public Dispensary, as far as Mr. Miguel Castillo to the east all burned.

3. That the Aglipayan Church and the Public Market were saved with the exception of the Roman Catholic Church and the neighboring houses were also burned.

4. In addition to these, the following houses that were damaged are hereunder:

(a) Mr. Teofilo Aguila’s House
(b) Mr. Inocencio Inandan
(c) Mr. Ireneo Pita
(d) Mr. Hermogenes Urea
(e) All the neighboring houses of the aforementioned persons.

5. That on the roads south & north adjacent to the Provincial roads, few casualties are so far.

For the Liaison Officer

[Sgd.] EMILIO S. BULUSAN
1^st Lieut., Guer., Inf. (USAFFE)
Regt’l S-1

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– 1^st Indorsement –

HEADQUARTERS, 1^st REGIMENT, USPIF, BATANGAS GUERRILLAS, 5 Mar. 45
TO: COMMANDING OFFICER, USPIF, BATANGAS GUERRILLAS

1. Forwarded for information and appropriate action.

For and in the absence of the Regt’l Comd’r

[Sgd.] EMILIO S. BULUSAN
1^st Lieut., Guer., Inf. (USAFFE)
Regt’l S-1

Notes and references:

¹ “Luansing Unit, Fil-American Batangas Guerrillas,” File No. 63, downloaded from PVAO.