Letter: Non-Recognition of the Ibaan Regiment after Reinvestigation, October 1947
The Ibaan Regiment was one of many units of the Fil-American Irregular Troops, a large guerrilla group founded by the former US Army officer Hugh Straughn, that was operating in Batangas during the Japanese Occupation. It was commanded by one Sixto Guerra. In this October 1947 document1 one Thomas Brown of the Adjutant General’s Office of the United States Army’s Philippines-Ryukyus Command wrote to Guerra to inform the latter that his unit, previously not favorably recognized as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the United States Armed Forces, was again not being recognized even after reconsideration.
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HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
| GSCPU 091 PI |
APO 707 4 OCT 1947 |
Mr. Sixto Guerra
Ibaan, Batangas
Philippines
Dear Mr. Guerra:
The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the Ibaan Regiment, FAIT, purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your control, previously not favorably considered for recognition, has been reconsidered at your request.
A thorough review of the supporting papers of this organization and a detailed examination of the additional evidence submitted with your request for reconsideration, together with a careful analysis of all other available information of the activities of your unit from its inception, scrutinized in relation to the overall resistance movement, has again failed to reveal sufficient material to satisfy the requirements for recognition of your unit as an element of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States. Furthermore, it is considered that the previous recognition of 101 officers and men from the Guerra Company who were recognized by the Commanding General Sixth Army for their aid during the liberation of the Philippines constitutes adequate and just acknowledgement of military service. The Ibaan Regiment, FAIT, is therefore not favorably reconsidered for modification of the original decision of non-recognition.
This letter constitutes the final determination of and action upon the claim for recognition of the Ibaan Regiment FAIT guerrilla unit.
CWO, USA
ASST ADJ GEN
Lt Col Wallace M Hanes:
1. The Ibaan Regt, FAIT, under the command of Sixto Guerra, consisting of 1,437 men, has not been favorably reconsidered for recognition. 101 members have been previously recognized (Guerra Co) by ltr, Hqs., 6th Army, AG 384, APO 442, dated 6 June 1945, to CG, USAFFE, APO 551.
2. This unit does not fulfill the requirements of the five basic points for recognition. See attached reconsideration report.
3. No casualty roster has been submitted. It is recommended that the eight (8) individual casualty cases pending be not favorably considered.
4. All individual non-casualty claims pending should not be favorably considered.
5. This report constitutes the final action by this headquarters on the Ibaan Regt, FAIT.
[Sgd.] 2d Lt Raul Diaz de Rivera
(over)
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Concur: Capt S C Buchanan, Chief, Reconsideration Sec
Concur: Maj R V Sloan, Chief, Individual Branch
Concur: Capt E R Curtis, Chief, Unit Branch