Report of the Ibaan Mayor to the Governor on the Ibaan Regiment, May 1945

The Ibaan Regiment was one of many units of the Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT), a large guerrilla group founded by the former US Army officer Hugh Straughn, that was operating in Batangas during the Japanese Occupation. It was commanded by one Sixto Guerra. In this May 1945 document document¹ Mayor Santiago Yabyabin of Ibaan wrote to the Provincial Governor to report on the activities of the Ibaan Regiment.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
Municipality of Ibaan
Batangas

May 7, 1945

The Honorable
The Provincial Governor
Batangas, Batangas

S i r :

This is to report the activities of the Fil-American, Batangas Guerrillas (Ibaan Regt.) under the command of Lt. Col. Sixto M. Guerra.

This regiment, composed of ex-USAFFE men, professionals, and other patriotic citizens of this town, has rendered great and unselfish service to this community. Not only once but many times, the members of this patriotic resistance movement have risked their lives in the encounters with the Japanese soldiers in defense of this town and its civilian population.

This municipality is greatly indebted to this Regiment for saving it from utter destruction in the face of the Japanese threat and maintaining peace and order in this municipality whenever astray Japanese soldiers are around the vicinity of this town.

Last Friday, May 4, 1945, the members of the Regiment had [a] bitter encounter with Japanese soldiers around the barrio of Sto. Niño, Ibaan, Batangas, through their gallant effort, they have killed six Japanese soldiers and have captured one alive.

This Regiment, because of its valuable service, has won for itself an enduring monument in the hearts of the people of this town.

Any help which you could give them in your official capacity will be greatly appreciated by the people of this municipality.

Very respectfully,

(SGD) SANTIAGO G. YABYABIN
Municipal Mayor
Ibaan, Batangas

A True Copy:

(SGD) CIPRIANO G. ILUSTRE
Ibaan, Batangas

CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:

[Sgd.] MANASES G. REYES
Capt. (Grla) Inf.
Regimental S-1
Actg. Regt’l Comdr.

Notes and references:

¹ “Ibaan Rgt Fil-Amer Batangas Guerrillas FAIT,” File No. 110-6, downloaded from PVAO.