Lt. Middleton's Report on the 1st Batangas Regiment, FAIT - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Lt. Middleton's Report on the 1st Batangas Regiment, FAIT - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Lt. Middleton's Report on the 1st Batangas Regiment, FAIT

The Fil-American Irregular Troops or FAIT was organized by the retired US Army officer Hugh Straughn after the surrender of American forces to the Japanese in 1942. The FAIT would become a large organization with various units operating in many parts of Luzon, including Batangas. The 1st Batangas Regiment was one of these, supposedly founded by one Major Gutierrez in 1943. Upon the major’s capture by the Japanese, command of the unit was assumed by one Maximo Bool of Pallocan in the then-town of Batangas. In this document1, one Lt. Charles Middleton Jr. filed an investigative report on the 1st Batangas Regiment.
Guerrilla Files jpeg
[p. 1]

C O N F I D E N T I A L

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY TRAINING GROUP, AFPAC
Contact Team “B”

CPM/jb

APO 500
26 August 1945

In accordance with verbal orders, Chief of Section, Guerrilla Affairs Section, U S Army Training Group, AFPAC, Lt Middleton and T/Sgt Bernacki contacted the Batangas Unit, FAIT and report thereon is submitted.

History

The Batangas Unit of FAIT was formed in February 1943 as part of the FAIT under command of Col Straughn. The Batangas unit was commanded by a Major Gutierrez who surrendered to the Japanese with 50 of his men in September 1943. 1st Lt Maximo C. Bool assumed command, but the organization split into several small units that operated under cover in neighboring communities. In January 1944, a small transmitter was placed in operation and contacts were made with guerrillas in Mindoro. The unit as a whole had been instructed to “lay low” from Sept 1943 until the Americans arrived. Bool and his radio operator were apprehended, tortured and released in April 1944. The Japs had learned of their radio and that several men were circulating news of the Allies.

A Col Balagtas of PQOG enlisted some of the men during Oct 1944. Because Balagtas was better armed, Bool made a semi-attachment with the PQOG.

There was no regular attachment with US Army forces. Guides and interpreters volunteered individually and aided American units. During May of 1945, several patrols of 15 to 30 men went after Japanese stragglers. At the present time, over half of the men are employed by Base R. These men secured their jobs individually.

Political

Investigation failed to show any evidence of political activity. There were no “Huks” or Makapilis in the vicinity.

Discussion

This unit has asked to be recognized as a Bn of 594 men with 14 weapons. Subsequently, the headquarters of Bonifacio Araullo has submitted additional rosters for this unit.

[p. 2]

C O N F I D E N T I A L

There is no evidence to indicate that a Bn organization ever existed. Statements were obtained from about 25 officers. Approximately 80 enlisted men were questioned. The officers could speak a little English but none of them knew anything about the unit as a whole. They know only of the activities of about 25 men in their own barrio. The enlisted men know even less and they are either fishermen, farmers, potters or laborers who remained at work during the occupation. Average education of the enlisted men is 3rd grade. They know nothing about processing or the Philippine Army. The standard answer to most questions is “I want to serve my country.”

Most of the officers of this unit have never heard of Araullo. Those that have admit they first heard of him or met him in April 1945. This is also the third time that a copy of General Order 22 (OSMENA) has been found in a unit’s files. These copies have been obtained from Araullo’s headquarters in Manila. These copies would indicate to the people of the provinces that the base pay of a recognized guerrilla is ₱100 per month. However, officers and enlisted men are most interested in being processed.

Recommendation

This unit should not be recognized.

CHARLES P. MIDDLETON JR
2nd Lieutenant, Infantry


Notes and references:
1 “First Batangas Regt, FAIT,” File No. 110-60, online at the United States National Archives.
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