Intelligence Report Filed by the Licopa Guerrilla Unit, October 1944 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Intelligence Report Filed by the Licopa Guerrilla Unit, October 1944 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Intelligence Report Filed by the Licopa Guerrilla Unit, October 1944

The Licopa Guerrilla Unit was a guerrilla outfit under the command of one Luis Licopa and operated out of Lemery, Batangas. In this October 1944 document, an intelligence report about Japanese movements and positions in Batangas was submitted by the Licopa Guerrilla Unit to the United States Army.

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Guerrilla Files

HQ GLINT
Under Advance Hq, Special Unit
S W P A
In the Field

30 Oct. 1944
Subject

To
: Report of Intelligence Work

: C.O. Advance Hq, Special Unit, SWPA
(Thru Adjutant, Special Unit, SWPA)
1. The following intelligence reports were received from our operatives in the field:

(a) Batangas, Batangas – There is a section of Batangas now occupied by the Japanese Marines. See Supplement A, Attached for a sketch of this section. In this section are located military constructions, depots, dumps, etc. South of the present Provincial Capitol building in what used to be the golf link, torpedoes are hidden under the “talang” trees that dot the link. These torpedoes, about 150 in number, are placed in crates and are covered with leaves for camouflage. On the left side of the Princesa Kumintang road going to Robles’ ferry, the Japs have constructed 4 tunnels on the side of the lone hill in the northwesterly direction. These tunnels are 6 meters in diameter and about 40 meters long. Here, the Japs have stored their oil, gasoline, ammunition and food supplies which they transported from Manila thru the railroad. The old wireless station west of the Provincial Capitol is not used now. Instead, the Japs have their radio near the Provincial Hospital. Immediately west of the Provincial Capitol is a lone building in which is stored about 200 drums of gasoline. All buildings designated military quarters are occupied by the Japs’ Marine Officers. The Batangas Elementary School building now houses the enlisted personnel. Field fortifications as trenches and foxholes are indicated on the sketch. The Japs Marines number 1,000.

(b) During the Allied strafing of Batangas Bay, 4 torpedo boats and 1 transport were destroyed. 3 torpedo boats were able to escape to Tingloy. During daytime, these torpedo boats stay at Tingloy and at night return to Batangas. At Tabangao, there is a cavalry unit about 500 in strength. At Libjo, there are about 300 Jap infantry men. At the Provincial High School and at the Trade School buildings, there are about 1,000 Jap soldiers quartered there. This unit has 10 light artillery guns. At the old Provincial Government building, there are again another 300 Jap soldiers quartered there. The

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barrios of Tabangao, Libjo, Sta. Rita, Pinamucan and Sampaga are now evacuated by order of the Japanese Army. The Japs have constructed foxholes and trenches not far from the seashore in the barrios of Sta. Rita, Lagnas and Bolbok. A.A. guns are located at the Grade School where there is one and another two guns at a point on the left side of the road about ½ km. from and going to the pier. The Batangas airfield is not used now except as emergency landing field. The strength of the Japanese Army and Marines at Batangas is about 3,500 officers and men. See supplement B attached for information.
(c) Nasugbu – The Japanese Army in Nasugbu is disposed as follows:
Nasugbu Elementary School
Wawa School
Barrio Caylaway
Barrio Patliw
Barrio Maugat
Barrio Munting Buhangin
Philippine Army Paliko Cadre
Batangas-Cavite boundary
150 Japanese Infantry men
40 Japs Inf. men.
200 Japs Inf. men.
50 Japs Inf. men.
30 Japs Inf. men.
50 Japs Inf. men.
500 Japs Inf men with 4 light guns
500 Japs Inf men.
The Japanese have built foxholes and trenches along the shoreline from Wawa to Bukana. In the barrios now occupied by the Japanese, the civilians are not permitted to evacuate. The commander of the Japanese Garrison is Major Nakagawa. See Supplement C for information.

(d) Nasugbu Central – The former sugar central of the Hacienda Roxas is now turned into an alcohol plant. It now supplies the Japanese Army with high grade alcohol for their mortar trucks and other vehicles. There are 9 tanks as shown in the attached Supplement D with a capacity of about 70,000 gallons. On the right side of the road going to Nasugbu and directly opposite the Central are located six buildings occupied by the Japanese officers. These buildings are now camouflaged by leaves on top of their roofs.

(e) Lian – There are about 150 Japanese stationed in Lian. About 100 are quartered at the San Diego School building and the other 50 at Barrio Bagong Pook. This unit at Bagong Pook has 2 AA guns. At Talin Point, Japanese launches, motor torpedo boats and even destroyers sometimes take shelter. At present, there are 3 launches stationed here. See Supplement C for information.

(f) Calatagan – The shoreline from San Piro to Santiago is now evacuated. The Japs are disposed along the shoreline where they are building foxholes and trenches. The strength of the Japs there is about 600. See attached Supplement C for information.

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2. The strength and disposition of Japanese troops are always subject to changes. Very often, the Japanese troops move from one place to another. In this connection, report of changes and disposition of troops will be rendered accordingly. Other information covering the other towns of Batangas will be submitted as soon as reports from our operatives now in the field are received.
(SGD) JOSUE JIMENEZ
Captain, Inf
Commanding

Encl: As stated.

Note: Josue Jimenez – Alias for the Commanding Officer.

A TRUE COPY:

[Sgd.] LUIS LICOPA
Captain, Infantry
Commanding.
Notes and references:
1 File Number 50, Licopa Unit (GLINT), downloaded from Philippine Veteran Association Office.
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