Clarification on the Status of the Rillo-Neri Unit

The Rillo-Neri Unit was a guerrilla organization that was allegedly formed in the town of Balayan, and again allegedly by the authority coming from Col. Hugh Straughn, founder of the Fil-American Irregular Troops. It was supposed to have conducted intelligence work, kept peace and order and helped in the evacuation of the citizens of Balayan, Lemery and Tuy. Its combat team was also said to have participated in combat during the liberation of Batangas. While this guerrilla group failed to obtain full recognition from the United States Army, 130 of its members were recognized as a combat team and another 400 gained recognition with another guerrilla outfit, the Blue Eagle Brigade. In this document¹, a clarification is provided along with a fact sheet [not included in this transcription] on the Lipa Guerrilla Hq Combat Team, an already recognized component of the bigger Rillo-Neri Unit which was likewise seeking recognition.

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HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND

CHECK SHEET

Do not remove from the attached sheets.

FILE NO. _______________________ SUBJECT: Rillo-Neri Unit

(1) FROM: 2nd Lt Bromley Jr

TO: Chief, Reconsideration Section

1. The information appearing on this check sheet is for purposes of clarification of the present status of the Rillo-Neri Unit.

2. The Rillo-Neri Unit consists of two components under investigation. The first is the recognized portion of the unit, designated as the Lipa Guerrilla Hq Combat Team. This combat team was recognized in a strength of 89 members by ltr, HQ, USAFFE, dtd 1 April 1945. The second component is the unrecognized portion of the unit, designated as the Rillo-Neri Unit with an alleged strength of 3090 members.

3. The Lipa Guerrilla Hq Combat Team has had determination of final action. Initially, the unit was investigated by Lt Brabson for consideration of the claim that the actual attached strength was 130 members and that the recognition should be amended to that effect. Lt Brabson recommended unfavorable consideration and a letter was dispatched to that effect on 24 Jun 1946. Reconsideration of this decision was requested and accepted. Lt Allbright reinvestigated the claim, recommended unfavorable consideration. No letter was dispatched to that effect but is attached hereto for dispatch on this date. Lt Neubauer investigated the combat team

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for determination of revision of dates. His recommendation was unfavorable and a letter was dispatched to that effect on 5 Aug 1947. Reconsideration of this decision was requested but not accepted as such request violates policy of this Division. Therefore, with the dispatch of the attached letter and approval of the basic report, final determination will have been sustained.

4. The Rillo-Neri Unit was originally investigated by Lt Brabson and it was recommended that the unit be not favorably considered. A letter was dispatched to that effect 24 Jun 1946. Reconsideration of the decision was requested and accepted. Lt Bromley investigated the unit, recommending again that the unit be not favorably considered. A letter was dispatched to that effect on 6 Mar 1947. Reconsideration of this decision was requested but not accepted as re-reconsideration is in direct violation of the policy of this Division. Therefore, final action on the Rillo-Neri Unit has been determined.

5. It is recommended that the attached report be approved and the decisive letter be dispatched for the completion of action on the recognized (Lipa Grla Hq Combat Team) and the unrecognized portions of the RILLO-NERI UNIT.

[Sgd.] BRUCE BROMLEY JR.
2nd Lt, Infantry

[Sgd.] KENNETH NEUBAUER
1st Lt, CAC

[Sgd.] MARION ALLBRIGHT
1st Lt, FA

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Notes and references:

¹ “Rillo-Neri (Lipa Guerrilla Headquarters Combat Team),” File No. 110-9, online at PVAO.

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