Letter to Major Basilio Hernandez from Casimiro Guevarra, March 1948

The Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) was a large guerrilla organization that operated in Luzon during the Japanese occupation during World War II up to the liberation of the Philippines. The organization was founded by the retired American Army officer Hugh Straughn and had units in many localities in Luzon, including Batangas. The GHQ Batangas Force, purportedly founded by one Jorge Espina, who was subsequently killed by the Japanese, was one of the units who sought recognition as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces. In this documents¹, one Casimiro G. Guevarra of the GHQ Force wrote to one Major Basilio Hernandez of the Philippine Army with information about this guerrilla outfit.

58 Central, Nasugbu
Batangas
March 1, 1948.

Major Basilio Hernandez
Chief [of] Staff, Philippine Army
Camp Murphy, Quezon City
Thru 2^nd Lt. Bonifacio Yaip
Chief Grla. Affairs Sect. VAB. HAP
APO 707

Dear Sirs:

In connection with my application of my guerrilla outfit, I am sorry it is only on this date [that] I happen to know that the United States Treasury will be closed for the Veteran pensioners on March 30^th 1948; that application for recognition should be applied before March 29 at 12 o’clock midnight.

We are the headforemost guerrillas of Batangas under General Manuel Acuña Roxas through the command of the late guerrilla organizer Jorge Espina. Our claims for recognition had already been filed September 1946, but the answer of the Commanding General of the 11^th Airborne Division, United States Army, was received by me in February 1947.

I respectfully inform you that I informed all my guerrilla companions that our services were attached to the United States Army. I found all my companions were separated and they were divided into several units of which some were recognized and others were not recognized.

I believe in justice and by reconsideration of the United States Armed Forces to recognize because they are waiting [for] the necessary information to substantiate my assertion of services rendered in January 1945, during the Southern Luzon operations.

Thanking you in advance for what information you will give us. I am

Very respectfully yours

s/ Casimiro G. Guevarra
t/ CASIMIRO G. GUEVARRA

Notes and references:
¹ “GHQ, Batangas Force, FAIT,” File No. 110-3, downloaded from PVAO.