Letter Informing Vicente Calingasan of Tuy-FAIT of Non-Recognition, June 1946 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Letter Informing Vicente Calingasan of Tuy-FAIT of Non-Recognition, June 1946 - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Letter Informing Vicente Calingasan of Tuy-FAIT of Non-Recognition, June 1946

Batangas History
7 Jan, 2018

The Fil-American Irregular Troops, otherwise known simply as FAIT, was founded by the retired US Army Colonel Hugh Straughn and was made up of US Army soldiers and Filipinos who refused to surrender to the Japanese in 1942. Although primarily operating in Rizal Province, the guerrilla outfit also operated in Batangas, including the town of Tuy. In this 1947 document1, one W. P. Moore of the Philippines-Ryukyus Command informed Vicente Calingasan of Tuy-FAIT that the unit had not been favorably considered for recognition by the United States Army as an element of the Philippine Army.

[p. 1]

Guerrilla Files

HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL

APO 707
28 JUNE 1946

Mr. Vicente Calingasan
Tuy, Batangas
P. I.

Dear Mr. Calingasan:

The “Tuy Unit FAIT,” 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 established 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 promotion, and necessary related information).
d. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
e. 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.
f. Some personnel listed as members of the unit assisted it by contributing money and supplies but did not serve in a capacity considered to justify such membership.
g. 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.
W. P. MOORE
Lt. Col. AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen

1 Incl: Ex O #68

[p. 2]

M/R

Lt. Col. H. L. Carnahan:

1. The “Tuy Unit FAIT,” consisting of 1200 members under the command of Vicente Calingasan, has not been favorably considered for recognition. An undetermined number of former members of the Tuy Unit FAIT have previously been recognized in the roster of the Blue Eagle Brigade.

2. Col. Marking Agustin and Terry Adevoso PA, overall commanders of the Fil-Americans and Hunters ROTC, respectively, state that the Tuy Unit FAIT was a passive organization.

3. Basis for non-recognition:


a. The unit was not established 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 promotion, and necessary related information).
d. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
e. 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.
f. Some personnel listed as members of the unit assisted it by contributing money and supplies but did not serve in a capacity considered to justify such membership.
g. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.

LEONARD J. AUBUCHON, 2nd Lt., FA, 0-1185963

Notes and references:
1 File Number 110-63, Tuy Unit FAIT, United States National Archives, downloaded from Philippine Veteran Association Office.
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