4th Bn Golden Regiment's Request for Recognition and the US Army Response

APO 501
14 December 1945

1. In view of the latest news from our headquarters in Nasugbu regarding the recognition of the unit of the Golden Regiment under the command of Lt. Col. EDUARDO C. VILLADOLID, request that a part of this unit (4^th Bn, Golden Regiment, Calaca, Batangas), now considered as Reserve, be recognized and processed in the Philippine Army.

2. Attached herewith is the history of the organization. Roster on the time it was made part of the Golden Regiment was submitted to UTG by Lt. Col. EDUARDO C. VILLADOLID.

3. While other units of Batangas which are now processed in the Philippine Army are enjoying the privileges given by the Army, I ask that justice be granted this unit inasmuch as this unit can claim to have made what other guerrilla units had done since its organization in 1943. I can point out units whose organizations began only during the American liberation already, yet they are now processed in the Philippine Army. These units hadn’t risked their lives during the time when the Japanese Military Police were questioning every movement of our members. The procedure of recognition and processing, it seems, is based on how near the leader of the unit is to some people’s graces. If this will be the procedure of recognition, then I am in the position to believe that injustice is being tolerated in our Army today which was established on the principle of democracy and to save democracy.

4. Request further that your office investigates the facts surrounding the case of this guerrilla outfit that seems to have been forgotten.

[Sgd.] ANTONIO M. ENCARNACION
1^st Lt., Inf.
Adjutant.

1. The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the 4^th Battatlion, Golden Regt. Blue Eagle Brigade, purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.

2. A set of general requirements for guerrilla recognition established by General MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines has been used as a guide in considering the record of this unit. After careful investigation and full consideration of all substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of reasons mentioned below:

a. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.

b. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.

c. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.

d. A definite organization was not established.

e. Performance of the unit did not indicate adequate control by its leaders, because of desertion of personnel to join other units.

f. Sphere of operations and unit strength claimed by the unit were not commensurate with the nature of the terrain, limitation of communication facilities, and the degree of anti-resistance activities of the Japanese in the area during the period concerned.

g. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.

h. Members of the unit did not devote their entire effort to military activities in the field to the exclusion of normal civilian occupation and family obligations.

i. Many members apparently lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming and other civilian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.

3. It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68, by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 Sept 1945, copy attached.

FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL.

R. E. CANTRELL
CAPTAIN, AGD
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL

Executive Order No. 68