Affidavits and other Documents Submitted by the Batangas Town Bn to the US Army
The Batangas Town Battalion, Army of the United States of America (AUSA), claimed to have received its authority to organize from one Major Ramon Ruffy, one of the prominent guerrilla leaders based in Mindoro during the Japanese occupation. This supposed unit was at one time affiliated with the Batangas Town Guerrillas of the Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT). It broke away from the FAIT when it was not attached to the 11th Airborne during the liberation period, since the United States Army only needed one company of the Batangas Town Guerrillas. It ultimately failed to obtain official recognition by the US Army. In this page are transcriptions1 of documents submitted by the Batangas Town Battalion to the United States Army along with its application for official recognition.
[p. 1]
A F F I D A V I T
A F F I D A V I T
592 ENGINEERING BOAT & SHORE REGIMENT
BEACH LABOR CONTROL OFFICE
HEADQUARTERS
4th Repl. Battalion, PA
APO 75
A F F I D A V I T
Notes and references:
1 “Batangas Town Bn, AUSA,” File No. 48, online at the United States National Archives.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
CITY OF MANILA
I, FLORENCIO MEDINA, Filipino, of legal age, married, former Executive Officer of the 51st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Army, at Calapan, Mindoro, and at present assigned at the Adjutant General’s Office, Headquarters, Philippine Army, with the rank of Major, ASN 0-1361, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, depose and say:
That I personally know Pablo Aguila, with the rank of Major, to be the founder and organizer of the Batangas Town Battalion, AUSA, a guerrilla unit in Batangas, Batangas;
That said Major Pablo Aguila and eighty (80) of his men, with the Provisional Bn., Mindoro Force, under Major Ramon Ruffy, a unit of the 24th Infantry Division, U. S. Army, under Major Dickerson, a mortar platoon of the 19th Infantry Regiment, 21st Infantry Division, U. S. Army, under 1st Lt. Kincheloe, fought the Japanese soldiers at Verde Island from 28 February 1945 to 15 March 1945;
That Captain Mario Zaide, Major Pablo Aguila’s S-3, was killed in action in Sawang Hill, Verde Island, on March 9, 1945.
That this affidavit is being made to establish the fact that Major Pablo Aguila and eighty (80) of his men really did fight in Verde Island during the said dates.
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NONE.
[Sgd.] FLORENCIO MEDINA
Major, Philippine Army
ASN-0-1361
Major, Philippine Army
ASN-0-1361
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 10th day of January 1947, at Manila.
[Sgd.] [Illegible signature.]
Notary Public
My Commission expires on
Dec. 31/47
Notary Public
My Commission expires on
Dec. 31/47
Doc No. 400
Page No. 77
Book No. I
Series of 1947.
[p. 2]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
MUNICIPALITY OF CANLUBANG
PROVINCE OF LAGUNA
I, RAMON RUFFY, Filipino, of legal age, married, former Commanding Officer of the 51st Infantry Regt., PA, at Calapan, Mindoro, and at present Executive Officer of the 4th Military District, PA, stationed at Canlubang, Laguna, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, depose and say:
That I personally know PEDRO AGUILA, with rank of Major, to be the founder and organizer of the Batangas Town Battalion, AUSA (Army of the United States of America), a guerrilla unit in the municipality of Batangas, province of Batangas;
That the said Major Pablo Aguila, with eight (80) of his men, has seen action at Verde Island from 28 February 1945 to 15 March 1945 against the Japanese soldiers thereat;
That Major Pablo Aguila and his eighty (80) men were attached to the American Units and was receiving rations from the United States Army during the said period from 28 February 45 to 15 March 1945;
That during the said campaign in Verde Island, Major Pablo Aguila’s S-3, Captain Mario Zaide was killed in action against the Japs in Sawang Hill, Verde Island, on March 9, 1945.
That this affidavit is being made to establish the truth that Major Pablo Aguila and eighty of his men did fight in Verde Island with my guerrilla unit and the said American Liberation Forces.
FURTHER AFFIANT SAYETH NONE.
[Sgd.] RAMON RUFFY
Major, Inf., Phil. Army
0-1128
Major, Inf., Phil. Army
0-1128
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 10th day of January 1947 at Canlubang, Laguna.
[Illegible signature.] 0-1127
Lieut-Colonel, Inf.
Lieut-Colonel, Inf.
[Note to the reader/researcher: US Army officers who investigated the Batangas Town Battalion, AUSA would later report that Major Ramon Ruffy stated that he had never heard of the same unit.]
[p. 3]
BEACH LABOR CONTROL OFFICE
1 May 45
|
SUBJECT TO |
: Letter : The Commanding Officer, USAFFE 3rd Replacement Center Camp Murphy, Quezon City |
PABLO AGUILA, the bearer of this letter, resigned Major, Executive Officer and S-1 of the Provisional Battalion, Batangas Force, Fil-American Irregular Troops since 1 April 45, has been on active duty since then and on to 30 April 45, with the Beach Labor Control Office of the 592 Engineering Boat and Shore Regiment.
He has always been honest and efficient in the performance of his duties.
Choosing to report for duty at that Headquarters, being a First Sergeant, himself, ex-USAFFE, he is relieved of all his duties this date.
[Sgd.] JOHN J. KENTZEL
1st Lt.
Co. “E”, 592 E. B. & S. R.
Beach Labor Control Office
1st Lt.
Co. “E”, 592 E. B. & S. R.
Beach Labor Control Office
[p. 4]
4th Repl. Battalion, PA
APO 75
5 March 1946
|
SUBJECT TO |
: Letter : RECOMMENDATION FOR RECOGNITION Commanding General, AFWESPAC |
This is to recommend the unit of Major Pablo Aguila, AUSA, for recognition and for any benefit due them.
Major Pablo Aguila is personally known to me as an organizer and founder of guerrillas in his hometown (Batangas, Batangas) since the latter part of 1942.
I further certify that he, with his men, had joined in the liberation of his hometown aforementioned and Verde Island, under the 24th Inf. Division, United States Army, under the command of Major General R. B. WOODRUFF, and Major Ramon Ruffy of the Provisional Battalion, Mindoro Force, where Major Aguila and his men had shown gallantry and bravery for the cause, resulting in the death in action of his battalion S-3 or Capt. Mario Zaide, who had been taken by the Americans from Verde Island to the cemetery of the Americans in Batangas, Batangas.
[Sgd.] ANDRES R. AGLUGUB
Major, Inf.-0-42130
Major, Inf.-0-42130
[p. 5]
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
MUNICIPALITY OF BATANGAS
I, PABLO AGUILA, Filipino, of legal age, married, and a resident of Batangas, Batangas, after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, depose and say:
That as Major of the Guerrillas of Batangas, Batangas, I, together with my men, helped in the liberation of Verde Island with MAJOR DICKERSON of the 24th Inf. Division, United States Army, Major Ramon Ruffy, then Commanding Officer of the Provisional Battalion, Mindoro Force, and Lt. KINCHELOE of “D” Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 21st Infantry Division, U. S. Army, from 28 February 1945 to 15 March of same year;
That two of my Sergeants, Dominador Rivera and Sesinando Balmes, were badly hurt and taken to a United States Army Hospital in Leyte, and my battalion S-3 or Plans and Training Officer, Capt. Mario Zaide, was killed in action against the Japs in Sawang Hill, Verde Island, on 9 March 1945;
The because of the abovementioned circumstances, I had been awarded [a] Major Insignia and a silver star by the said Major DICKERSON and given by Major Ramon Ruffy a certificate or recommendation and acknowledgement of the services and assistance I and my men rendered them;
That upon return to Batangas, Batangas, with my men on the 16th day of March, 1945, I presented my credentials and said certificate of Major Ramon Ruffy to Major DAY of the 2nd Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, who then had newly liberated the said town and he had us attached to his outfit for duty but because of his immediate departure from this town for some mission, I was not able to ask him for some certificate regarding our attachment, neither had I requested him for the return of our certificates of recommendation for recognition as Guerrillas from Major Ramon Ruffy of Mindoro, which I find now to be essential in our desire to be recognized as such;
That this affidavit is being made to establish the abovementioned facts with the full knowledge that I will be guilty of perjury in case I misrepresent them.
FURTHER affiant sayeth none.
Batangas, Batangas, March 6, 1946.
[Sgd.] PABLO AGUILA
Affiant
Affiant
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th day of March, 1946, affiant exhibiting his residence certificate No. A-52113 issued at Batangas, Batangas, on January 2, 1946.
[Sgd.] ELISEO M. ZAGALA
Acting Justice of the Peace
Notary Public ex-officio
Capital of Batangas
Acting Justice of the Peace
Notary Public ex-officio
Capital of Batangas
Not. Reg. No. 69
Page. No. 65
Book No. 8
Series of 1946.
Notes and references:
1 “Batangas Town Bn, AUSA,” File No. 48, online at the United States National Archives.