Reasons Why the Talisay PQOG Did Not Gain Recognition, February 1947
The President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas was a large guerrilla outfit operating in Luzon during the Japanese occupation up to liberation. It had many elements in the different towns of the Province of Batangas, including one that operated out of the lakeside town of Talisay. In this document1, one 2nd Lt. Grant Wilcox, presumably the investigating officer, wrote Captain R. E. Cantrell of the Adjutant General’s Office of the United States Army Philippines-Ryukyus Command outlined to Carlos Mendoza, Commanding Officer of the Talisay Regiment of the PQOG, why his unit did not gain recognition.
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HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
| GSCPU 091 PI | 15 FEB 1947 |
Mr. Carlos Mendoza
1090 Int 15, Santol,
Sta. Mesa, Manila
Dear Mr. Mendoza:
The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the 2d Battalion, Talisay 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 full testimonies 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. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. A definite organization was not established.
d. Adequate records were not maintained (names, ranks, dates of enlistment or joining, dates of promotions, and necessary related information).
e. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
f. 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.
g. Many members apparently lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming or other civlian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
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h. 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.
CAPTAIN, AGD
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL
1 Inc:
dated 26 September ’45.
Col G. F. Lillard:
1. 2d Battalion, Talisay Regiment, PQOG, consisting of 854 men, has not been favorably considered. No members of this unit has 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. There are no members worthy of recognition and a separate casualty roster is submitted.
[Sgd.] 2d Lt. Grant S. Wilcox
[Sgd.] M/Sgt Sebastian G. Songsong
2. Concur in: Lt Col S. J. Palos, Chief, Unit Branch