Letter from US Army Informing San Juan PQOG of Non-Recognition, February 1947
The President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas (PQOG) was a guerrilla organization which fought the Japanese in World War II. The guerrilla outfit was among those that operated in Southern Luzon, including Batangas. It had many units in the province, one of which was in the eastern Batangas town of San Juan. In this February 1947 document1, one Captain R. E. Cantrell of the U.S. Army’s Adjutant General’s Office informed Emilio Bolaños of the San Juan Unit of the PQOG of their non-recognition as a unit of the Philippine Army because an earlier group from the same unit had already been recognized.
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HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
| GSCPU 091 PI/232 | 14 FEB 1947 |
Dr. Emilio Bolaños
Candelaria, Quezon
Dear Dr. Bolaños:
That Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the 1st Battalion, San Juan Regiment, President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas, 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 substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Adequate records were not maintained (names, ranks, dates of enlistment or joining, dates of promotions, and necessary related information).
c. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
d. 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.
e. Many members apparently lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming or other civilian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
f. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
It is considered that the previous recognition of approximately 150 officers and men from the San Juan Regiment, PQOG, who were recognized by the Commanding General AFWESPAC for their aid during the liberation of the
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Philippines constitutes adequate and just acknowledgement of military service.
Sincerely yours,
R. E. CANTRELL
CAPTAIN, AGD
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL
1 Incl
Dated 26 September ’45.
Col. G. F. Lillard:
1. 1st Battalion, San Juan Regiment, PQOG, consisting of 587 men, had not been favorably considered. Approximately 150 members of this unit have previously been recognized.
2. This unit does not fulfill the requirements of the five basic points for recognition. See Team Leader’s Report on PQOG Command.
3. No useful purpose will be accomplished by further investigation of this unit.
4. All worthy members have been recognized and there is a separate casualty roster.
2. Concur: Lt Col S. J. Palos, Chief, Investigations