Reconsideration Report on the Ibaan Regiment FAIT, October 1947

In June 1946, 2d Lt George R Bond, unit investigator of the Guerrilla Affairs Branch, G-3, AFWESPAC, investigated the Ibaan Regiment, FAIT, and recommended that the unit be not favorably considered for recognition. (See Tab A.)

On July 9, 1946, a letter was despatched to Mr. Sixto Guerra, CO of the unit, informing him of the decision. (See Tab C.)

Mr. Guerra requested for reconsideration 31 March 1947. (See Tab D.)

Reconsideration was granted Mr. Guerra’s unit on 30 April 1947. (See Tab C.)

On 11 June 1947, 2d Lt Bruce Bromley Jr. investigated the recognized portion of the unit (Guerra Co) and recommended that the unit be not favorably considered for revision of its present recognition date.

On 25 September 1947, 2d Lt Raul Diaz de Rivera undertook the reconsideration of the unit. A field trip was deemed unnecessary after a thorough study of the unit file and other pertinent papers.

a. None of the documents submitted as additional evidence corroborate the claims made by the Ibaan Regiment, nor do they meet the requirements of the five basic points for recognition.

b. In reference to the affidavits and written records presented to this headquarters as evidence, the following facts are noted: all such affidavits and written documents reveal the existence of the unit but do not substantiate any activity of recognized value.

c. Attention is invited to the field investigation conducted by Lt. Bond. The following is noted in the TLR of Lt Bond:

“...It was stated that in addition to their duties as guerrillas, those men on active status, were able to support their families. Prior to the American landing, no guerrillas in this unit was killed or wounded in encounters with the Japanese, although those killed were numbering 30, taken from their homes.”

d. Prior to the liberation, the unit activities consisted mainly of small scale patrolling, sabotage and intelligence of questionable value. During the Liberation, Guerra contacted Major Schommer of the 187^th PG Inf at Tagaytay, and one company of 101 men was attached to the 11^th Airborne Division and was duly recognized for its services. For all purposes, the unit, although in existence, was dormant during the enemy occupation. It is maintained by the undersigned that the previous recognition extended to the unit constituted a just and fair acknowledgement of all services rendered by the unit to the Armed Forces of the United States.

e. In November 1943, a Pacification Campaign was conducted by the Japanese throughout the Philippines. This unit surrendered its quota of men and weapons to the Japanese. The original founder of the Ibaan Regiment, Jorge Espina, was among those that surrendered. This same Espina was released later by the Kempeitai. He was arrested in March 1944 and subsequently killed. The foregoing statements are attested to by Lt Olindo R Silvaf this Division.

f. In the letter requesting reconsideration, Mr. Guerra made mention of newly discovered evidence material to their claim for recognition. It is an organizational chart allegedly discovered by Mr. Graciano Espina on 15 February 1947. However, the same document does not establish anything worthwhile nor does it substantiate any activity of recognizable value was heretofore established.

g. Attention is invited to a complaint letter by one V. del Mundo (See Tab E), which states that the Ibaan Regiment was non-existent.

That the original decision of this headquarters dated 9 July 1946, not favorably considering the Ibaan Regiment, FAIT, for recognition, be sustained.

No casualty roster has been submitted. It is recommended that the eight (8) individual casualty cases pending be not favorably considered.

That all individual non-casualty claims pending be not favorably considered.

That this report constitute the final action by this headquarters on the Ibaan Regiment, FAIT.