Sedano's Letter to the Philippine President Asking Employment for Men of the McKinley Division
[TRANSCRIPTION]
Notes and references:
1 “6th Infantry Regt, McKinley Division, FAIT,” File No. 275-13, online at the United States National Archives.
The Fil-American Irregular Troops or FAIT was a large guerrilla organization founded by the retired United States Army Colonel Hugh Straughn and had many affiliate units in Southern Luzon, including Batangas. The 6th Infantry Regiment, McKinley Division, which operated in the town of Lemery, was one of these. In this page is a transcription1 of a letter sent by one Braulio Sedano, Commander of the McKinley Division, asking for assistance on the employment of officers and enlisted men of his guerrilla outfit.
Pasig, Rizal, P.I.,
June 18, 1946.
June 18, 1946.
HIS EXCELLENCY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA, P.I.
My dear President,
Permit me to address to you a personal letter on behalf of the officers and men of the McKinley Brigade, now McKinley Division, Fil-American Irregular Troops, under Colonel Hugh Straughn, U.S. Army retired officer, of which I am the Commanding Officer, to reopen our case to your kind attention.
[The] History and activities of this unit have been submitted to your office before the latest general election, as per your instructions, to the undersigned.
[The] Roster of Troops of this unit has been submitted to the Guerrilla Affairs Branch, PA Division, G-3 Section, AFWESPAC, during the month of June 1945 and resubmitted during the month of September 1945 for recognition.
Pending recognition of this unit, I would request His Excellency, the President, to help give temporary employment to all or part of the unemployed members of this unit, for the following reasons:
a. In order that members of this Command will be always intact and will not be demoralized, due to the long delay of the action of the Guerrilla Affairs Branch, PA Division, G-3 Section, AFWESPAC, for recognition.
b. To avoid any member going in the wrong way, by joining any subversive elements, which will affect the peace and order of our community.
c. And by this method, it will greatly give the Commanding Officer a more powerful opportunity to give each and everyone of the members an advice to take things easy while waiting for recognition.
As Commanding Officer of this unit, I am proud to say that although our case has been pending for a long time by the proper authority, every member of the Command has not lost faith in the Great Republic of America and the future Philippine Republic, to recognize our services during the enemy occupation and during the liberation period. I will assure His Excellency the President that we will stand loyal and faithful to the governments of the United States and the Philippines, and ready to be called ANYWHERE, ANY TIME, for any services that fit us, either for life or death.
Very respectfully
[Sgd.] BRAULIO D. SEDANO
Colonel, FAIT.,
Commanding.
[Sgd.] BRAULIO D. SEDANO
Colonel, FAIT.,
Commanding.
Notes and references:
1 “6th Infantry Regt, McKinley Division, FAIT,” File No. 275-13, online at the United States National Archives.