Galvez's Letter to the US Army Requesting Recognition, March 1946 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

The Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrilla Unit was one of many units of the large Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) organized by the retired American Colonel Hugh Straughn at the onset of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. This guerrilla organization had many such units operating in other towns of Batangas, including the town of Balayan. The Balayan unit was organized by Majors Rodolfo Bahia and Amador de Guito. Hence, it was also referred to as the Bahia-Deguito unit. In this document¹, one Vicente Galvez, self-named commanding officer of the Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrillas, wrote to the Commanding General of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Western Pacific to request for recognition.

PIONEER BALAYAN TOWN GUERRILLAS
BAHIA-DEGUITO UNIT
FIL-AMERICAN IRREGULAR TROOPS
Balayan, Batangas

March 12, 1946

SUBJECT TO

: Recognition, Request for : C. G. AFWESPAC, APO 707    (Thru Guerrilla Affairs Section)

1. The services of this Unit were helpful in the invasion of Southern Luzon by the American Liberation forces.

2. This unit played an important part in pre-invasion activities of the PT boats on the south coast of Luzon.

3. The activities of this Unit demonstrated to the United States the loyalty and faith of the Filipino people in the democratic institutions and way of life.

Very respectfully,

[Sgd.] VICENTE GALVEZ
COL. REGTL., INF. (GUERL)

Enclosures:

1. Certificate of Lt. Commander George F. Rowe, USNR
2. History of the Organization
3. Roster of Troops
4. Certificate of the strength of the organization
5. Casualty report

Notes and references:

¹ “Pioneer Balayan Town Guerrillas, Deguito Unit FAIT,” File No. 110-42, downloaded from PVAO.