Lt. Max Brabson’s Report on the Rillo Neri Unit

In accordance with verbal instructions from Chief of Section, Guerrilla Affairs, G-3, AFWESPAC, Lieutenant Max L. Brabson proceeded to Balayan, Batangas on 24 June to contact the Rillo Neri Unit, in order to determine whether or not this organization should be recognized by the United States Army. The following report is a summary of the investigation and basis for the recommendation.

The Rillo Neri Unit was organized on 2 June 1942 by Salvador B. Rillo of Balayan, Batangas. The unit consisted of three battalions totaling 3,090 members. The Regiment was formed by authority of Col Hugh S. Straughn. Approximately 530 members have previously been recognized.

Before the landing of the American forces, the Rillo Neri Unit was engaged in intelligence work, training of officers and enlisted men, keeping peace and order and keeping several American soldiers who escaped from Corregidor and Bataan. Also, the shuttle of American flyers shot down in Central Luzon to Mindoro was a responsibility of this unit. It was further responsible for the evacuation of civilians from the towns of Balayan, Lemery and Tuy, Batangas. The combat company of the Rillo Neri Unit did patrol work and guard duty under a Lt. McDonald who was with the 158^th RCT of the 11^th Airborne Division. The unit had approximately 175 weapons in 1944 including over 100 paltiks (homemade, single shot weapons) while the unit strength was 3,090.

The following named persons were those interviewed by the Contact Team and their statements are the basis for the findings:

Commdr George F Rowe – SWPA Advance Party, Mindoro
Col. Quintin Gellidon – 11^th AB Staff Off Guerr Sec
Rafael Ilagan – Lt Col Bn Commander
Salvador Rillo – Unit Commander
Diosdado Shellor Capt – CO Co C
Angel Ransig – Capt
Clemente Salle – Capt
Basilio Zuñiga – Capt
Modesto Zuñiga - Capt
Hugo Ilagan – 1^st Lt.
Antonio Lainez – 1^st Lt.
Pascual de la Vega – 1^st Lt.
Simeon Ilaw – 1^st Lt.
Marrillo Liwanag – 1^st Lt.
Manuel Beses – 1^st Lt.
Bonifacio Magahis - 1^st Lt.
Guillermo Baylosis – 1^st Lt.
Maximo Ilagan – 2^nd Lt.
Alejandro Capasion – S/Sgt
Juan Bandelaria – S/Sgt

Mariano Mercado – S/Sgt
Lucas Caraey – Sgt
Arcadio Avena – Sgt
Mariano Encarnacion – Sgd
Severino Algado – PFC
Bonifacio Beba – Cpl
Benigno Castelo – Pfc
Bernardino Mendoza – Pfc
Primitivo Basco – Pfc
Juan Arroyo – Pfc
Ignacio Marcellana – Pfc
Martin Mayuga - Pfc

During the interview, numerous individuals stated that they lived at home throughout the occupation. Their duty was spying upon the Japanese troop movements, types and amounts of equipment. Several members were employed by the municipal government and were always in the town as intelligence operatives. Many members claimed to have lived in the mountains on a part time basis. It was claimed that the rotation policy was carried out, i.e. a man would spend a week in the mountains then a week at home.

Lt Col Jose Manzano, Battalion Commander of the 1^st Bn, told many lavish tales of the night life and night clubs he attended in Manila during the occupation. He further stated that he did not know of more than 500 true, active guerrillas in Western Batangas, however, he was commanding a battalion of a larger strength than that. Manzano is considered by other guerrilla leaders a supporter of the guerrilla movement but not a guerrilla himself.

During 1944, the unit had a total of 175 weapons, including over 100 paltiks (homemade, single shot weapons), while at this time the strength was 3,090. Practically none of the men interviewed claimed to have owned weapons during the occupation. A few claimed bolos as weapons.

The unit presented orders and letters from Maj. Jay D. Vanderpool, Capt Schommer of guerrilla headquarters, 11^th AB Div., and Lt. Carl L. Rogers. These were orders pertaining to the unit as a whole and do not assist in clarifying the number of members nor the number of weapons. One of these letters is a reprimand to Col Rillo because the unit was operating against orders and was causing more trouble than good. It appears that only a small percentage of the total membership actually served with the American troops.

Just before the liberation of Batangas, approximately 400 members or one battalion of the Rillo-Neri unit joined the Blue Eagle Brigade and were recognized with that unit. This group of men, according to Col. Rillo, were eager for combat so they joined the Blue Eagle which was engaging the Japanese in combat. A number of individual spontaneous actions were narrated to the contact team during the interview by various individuals.

Col Rillo was imprisoned by the Japanese from 5 August 1943 till

In addition to the 400 men recognized with the Blue Eagle Brigade, the unit had approximately 130 men belonging to a combat company which has been recognized. Some members are also carried in the roster of the Special Service Unit ECLGA of Balayan, Batangas.

The unit claims to have aided several American soldiers who escaped from Corregidor and Bataan but they have no proof or documentary evidence of these claims. Aid to the American soldiers is also claimed by numerous units in Cavite and Batangas. It is unlikely that the Rillo Neri Unit was solely responsible for these persons because the Blue Eagle Brigade has had 6,269 men recognized from the vicinity of Balayan, Tuy, Lemery and surrounding barrios. The Blue Eagle also claims to have cared for the Americans. Sabotage of the cotton that the Japanese forced the peasants to plant is also claimed as an underground movement by this unit.

The certificates presented could have been used for the previously recognized portion and they do not necessarily pertain to the unit now being investigated.

Commdr. Rowe stated that the guerrilla units in Western Batangas were very small and the liberation caused a big influx in the guerrilla rosters of that area.

Col. Quinto Gellidon stated that the Rillo Neri Unit consisted of approximately three companies of which one was the recognized Combat Company.

There are no evident political affiliations or aspirations.

After careful consideration of the statements made by the present members and an analysis of the documents presented, it is recommended that with the exception of those members previously recognized, the “Rillo Neri Unit” be not favorably considered for recognition.

[Sgd.] MAX L. BRABSON

Concurred in by Chief of Section Capt. Douglas C. Murray.

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