Letter to US Army Reporting Anomalies by the Ibaan Regiment, February 1946
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 February 1946 document document1 one V. del Mundo wrote to the United States High Commissioner in the Philippines and the Commanding General of the United States Armed Forces in the Western Pacific, through channels, to report alleged anomalies that were being committed by the Ibaan Regiment.
February 15, 1946
To the United States High Commissioner of the Philippines and
To the Commanding General, AFWESPAC
Manila
Sirs
This is to inform you that great anomalies are being committed by the founders of the Fil-American Guerrillas, Ibaan Unit, Province of Batangas. I understand that the only company comprising this unit has already been recognized and processed, but again they fabricated another roster composing of one regiment and submitted for recognition. The fact is that this regiment is not existing and has never existed. The supposed officers and men are unscrupulous persons who desire only to receive pay and other compensation, thus abusing the liberality of America. They have never been guerrillas. To camouflage them, they included those real guerrillas in that one company which was alrady recognized. They never had rendered any guerrilla service. These racketeers collected in advance about fifty pesos from each supposed officer, alleging that these sums would be bribed [i.e. used as bribes – BHCF] to the fellow in charge of recognition in the AFWESPAC.
Kindly check this racket. It is now the rumor that the guerrillas are committing a great scandal that would reflect upon the integrity of the whole Filipino people.
/t/ V. del Mundo
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