Oraña Guerrilla Unit's Request for Reconsideration and the US Army Response - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Oraña Guerrilla Unit's Request for Reconsideration and the US Army Response - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Oraña Guerrilla Unit's Request for Reconsideration and the US Army Response

[TRANSCRIPTION]

The Oraña Guerrrilla Unit was an independent guerrilla organization that was spawned and operated in the area of Barrio Durungao, San Luis, Batangas. It was commanded by one Jeremias Oraña In this page are transcriptions1 of the Oraña Guerrilla Unit’s request for reconsideration after its initial application for recognition was denied and the subsequent United States Army response.
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[p. 1]

[Request for Reconsideration]

HEADQUARTERS
ORAÑA GUERRILLA UNIT
DURUNGAO, SAN LUIS
BATANGAS
----

APRIL 19, 1947

THE COMMANDING GENERAL
PHILRYCOM (Guerrilla Affairs Section)
Apo 707, Bldg. #7-711,
Philippine University Area,
Quezon City

S i r :

The undersigned, Overall Commander of the ORAÑA GUERRILLA UNIT of San Luis, Batangas, Philippines, has the honor to request for reconsideration to the order dated 28 June 1946, treating our unit unfavorably for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army, respectfully alleging the following reasons thereof, to wit:

1. That when the Contact Team came to the place unexpectedly sometime after the presentation of our request for recognition, the undersigned was in Palawan for a forced general business trip, and by reason thereof, he was unable to present satisfactorily any and all proofs in support of the said request for recognition;

2. That said Contact Team was made to believe that our unit was not worth recognition by other biased sources made by people who do not like our unit to be recognized because they want to prosecute us out of political reason as a retaliation and revenge;

3. That it will create injustice to our unit which had contributed a great deal during the resistance movement and during the liberation, evidenced by the great number of casualties and human lives that we sacrificed for the sake of democracy.

In order to give us justice, we earnestly request that another Contact Team be sent to the place for clarification and further proof and evidence, for which I am, the undersigned, more than ready and willing to cooperate.

Thanking your Excellency for such favorable action as you may give over this matter, he begs to remain

[Sgd.] JEREMIAS M. ORAÑA
Commander, Oraña Guerrilla Unit
Durungao, San Luis, Batangas

[p. 2]

[The US Army’s Response.]

HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

GSCPU 091 PI / 1032 APO 707
12 MAY 1947

Mr. Jeremias M. Oraña
Headquarters, Oraña Guerrilla Unit
Durungao, San Luis, Batangas

Dear Mr. Oraña:

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 19 April 1947, requesting reconsideration of the unfavorable decision rendered by this headquarters on 28 June 1946 with regard to the request for recognition of the Oraña Guerrilla Unit.

It is the desire of this headquarters to avoid all appearance of arbitrary decisions in the case of claimant guerrilla units. Your request for reconsideration is, therefore, accepted. It must be emphasized, however, that it would be extremely helpful if you were to forward as quickly as possible such additional pertinent documentary evidence as has not been submitted previously and which, you feel, reflects favorably upon your claim. These additional data should be original documents, or photostatic copies of original documents, or true copies of the original documents, certified to by United States Army officers of field grade on duty with the Guerrilla Affairs Division, G-3 Section, of this headquarters.

Your request for reconsideration will be placed on file in this headquarters to await appropriate action at the earliest practicable time. However, a considerable delay is to be expected before final decision can be rendered on your organization since many claimant guerrilla units remain to be investigated initially and review of rejected units must necessarily follow them.

Sincerely,

THOMAS J. BROWN
CWO, USA
ASST ADJ GEN

Col. Gerald F. Lillard:

Basic, ltr from Jeremias M. Oraña to CG, PHILRYCOM, dtd 19 Apr 47, requesting reconsideration of the unfavorable decision rendered by this hqs on 28 Jun 46 with regard to the request for recognition of the Oraña Guerrilla Unit

1st Lt George E. Kemper

Concur: Lt Col S. J. Palos, Chief, Unit Branch



Notes and references:
1 “Oraña Guerrilla Unit,” online at the United States National Archives.
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