Letter Informing Denny Flores of Non-Recognition of Pandita Area Guerrillas, June 1946
[TRANSCRIPTION]
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
PRB
Notes and references:
1 “Pandita Area, Free Luzon Intelligence Echelon, 6th MD, [Folder 4],” online at the United States National Archives.
The Pandita Unit was a guerrilla organization organized in the town of Bauan, Batangas. It was supposedly affiliated with the 6th Military District under Col. Macario Peralta which was based in the island of Panay in the Visayas. Also affiliated with this district is the Lobo Unit, the documents of which are also posted in this web site. In this particular document1 is a transcription of a letter from Lt. Col. W. P. Moore of the US Army’s Western Pacific Command informing Denny Flores of the non-recognition of the Pandita Area Guerrillas.
[p. 1]
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
7 JUN 1946
Mr. Denny P. Flores
Bauan, Batangas
Dear Mr. Flores,
The Pandita Area DI 6th Military District, purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.
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 available substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of the reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. Adequate records were not maintained (names, ranks, dates of enlistment or joining, dates of promotions, and necessary related information).
d. The number of officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, was excessive and not reasonably proportionate to United States Army or to pre-war Philippine Army tables of organization.
e. Performance of the unit did not indicate adequate control by its leaders because of desertion of personnel to join other units.
f. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
g. 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.
h. Many members apparently live at home, supporting their families by means of farming or other civilian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
i. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68, by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 September 1945, copy attached.
Sincerely yours,
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
1 Incl:
Exec. Order #68
[p. 2]
Lt. Col. H. L. Shaftoe:
1. The Pandita Area DI, 6th Military District, consisting of 1,300 members under the command of Col. Denny P. Flores, has been unfavorably considered. Lt. Col. P. Serran, G-2 under Peralta, knew only of the existence of this unit and could make no definite comment. Col. Terry Adevoso knew nothing about this unit, but he referred us to Capt. Medalla, one of his officers, who knew only that this unit existed. 159 men from this unit have been previously recognized and paid.
2. Basis for non-recognition:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy, nor did the members work full time.
b. The number of commissioned officers was very excessive to normal to strength.
c. No records to substantiate claims of sabotage or intelligence reports. “No combat before liberation,” states the 2nd Battalion Commander, Tomas Ilagan.
d. Members lived at home when not on assignment.
e. Did not contribute materially to the defeat of the enemy.
PRB
Notes and references:
1 “Pandita Area, Free Luzon Intelligence Echelon, 6th MD, [Folder 4],” online at the United States National Archives.