Memo from the Hunters-ROTC to Gagalac Guerrillas on Official Recognition
The Gagalac Guerrilla Group was one of the groups operating in Batangas that was given official recognition by the United States Army after World War II. In this January 1945 document, one Jessie Paterno of the Hunters-ROTC Guerrillas acknowledges the cooperation of his group with the Gagalac Guerrilla Unit and also provides a response to the latter’s request for assistance in the matter of official recognition by the United States Army. The text has been edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation here and there.
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EXHIBIT “N-3”
UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
THE HUNTERS OR ROTC GUERRILLAS
CP: 3rd Bn., 49th Regt.
Dear Mr. Malabanan:
I’m very sorry to miss meeting you last time. I should have learned plenty had I been present when you came. However, I am contented after hearing of the kind object of your visit. Thank you very much for the unselfish cooperation you are offering in the name of the Gagalac Guerrillas. It’s indeed very nice of you to promise such kind of cooperation, although I may for some time not [be able] to accept it, not until we have done something to help you and the GAGALAC GUERRILLAS. Helping you and anybody has always been my desire, especially you who have been personally friendly and cooperative, and who has been personally friendly and interested in working for the welfare of our native land. But I cannot promise you that I can be successful in aiding you, although it is my deep intention to help you the utmost I can. All you can hope, then, is my full-hearted cooperation in giving you or the GAGALAC GUERRILLAS a break in the field of recognition. Before I close, let me impress [upon] you that working for official recognition should not have as its first motive to acquire arms and ammunition, but preferably a loftier motive should be desired. However, you will not get sore about my previous line, but at least you must remember that I’m on the way to helping you, and that is a part of it. Try to impress [upon] your higher officers that you want to be recognized not because you want only to acquire supplies, but because you want to subject yourselves to proper commands for better results.
SO LONG… AND CARRY ON TILL VICTORY IS WITH US?
(Sgd.) JESSIE PATERNO
Note: Mr. Malabanan, the addressee in this communication, is the Executive Officer of the Unit.
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY: