Miscellaneous Documents Submitted by the Lipa Guerrilla Regiment to the US Army
[TRANSCRIPTIONS]
The Lipa Guerrilla Regiment used to be known as the “Second Batangas Regiment” when it was affiliated with the Marking’s Guerrillas of Marcos Agustin. It was formed by a former USAFFE officer named Felino Paran. Upon Paran’s capture by the Japanese, command was assumed by Miguel Lina and became known as the “Lipa Guerrilla Unit.” The organization ultimately failed to collectively gain official recognition by the United States Army, but some of its members did get this coveted accolade. In this page1 are transcriptions of miscellaneous documents submitted by the Lipa Guerrilla Regiment or Unit to the United States Army as supporting documents to its application for recognition.
[p. 1]
SECRET
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Assistant Chief of Staff, S-2
11th AIRBORNE DIVISION
[p. 2]
MARKING’S GUERRILLAS
ADVISED BY GENERAL W. W. FERTIG
LUZON, PHILIPPINES
THESE GUERRILLA FORCES WILL RECOGNIZE AS
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
FELINO Z. PARAN
THESE FORCES
REG. COMMANDER
[p. 3]
11TH AIRBORNE DIVISION
188TH PARA-GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT
COMPANY “B” – TAPARAN’S UNIT
Dear Colonel Felino Paran:
This unit is on an inspection of every individual that is going out and coming into Ibaan to avoid any spy within the province.
So that the complication [can] be avoided, it is requested that you please issue at your earliest convenience the necessary identifications for all of your personnel so that we will have the means to recognize each one of them.
Thank you very much, your new friend.
Capt. Co. “B,” Taparan’s Unit
COMMANDING
[p. 4]
H E A D Q U A R T E R S
511th PRCHT. INFANTRY
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
This is to certify that the LIPA GUERRILLA Co. under Capt. Miguel Lina submitted [to] us intelligence reports about the concentration of the Japanese forces in Malarayat Mountain and assisted us in patrol duties. They helped us a great deal in our mopping operation against the Japanese soldiers.
Any help you can extend to this Unit will be highly appreciated by the undersigned.
S-2 HQ. CO. I
511th A/B 3rd Bn.
[p. 5]
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
MUNICIPALITY OF MALVAR
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
[p. 6]
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
MUNICIPALITY OF ROSARIO
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I, the undersigned, without any intimidation or any promise of reward from the LIPA GUERRILLA REGIMENT, do hereby state the following:
That I know the said guerrilla unit to have been organized and had been operating since the early part of the Japanese occupation period;
That I know that the said guerrilla unit operated for the sole purpose of the liberation of our country side by side with the United States of America, fighting clean and straight;
That the said unit was the only bulwark against Japanese oppression during Japanese massacre of civilians, the unit establishing a reservation where our people were brought, given protection, and those needy given food and medical attention. Civilians being evacuated from areas subject to enemy operations guarded by details from this regiment;
And that this guerrilla unit was instrumental in the liberation of areas in the Province of Batangas where it operated in direct conjunction with the United States Army forces, participating in mopping operations in Lipa, San Jose, and Rosario.
[p. 7]
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
MUNICIPALITY OF LIPA
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
To Whom This May Concern:
True copy/er
[p. 8]
LIPA GUERRILLA REGIMENT
LIPA, BATANGAS
ORGANIZED – 5 FEBRUARY 1943
TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN:
I, the undersigned, JOSE B. ZUÑO, Mayor of Rosario, Batangas, guerrilla leader of one company with the rank of Captain under Lt. Col. FELINO PARAN, do hereby state the following:
That on February 5, 1943, I organized a company of guerrillas in the town of Rosario, Batangas, with its main base in Maalasas, Rosario, Batangas, which unit was a part of [the] LIPA GUERRILLA REGIMENT under LT. COL. FELINO PARAN, as its commanding officer.
Attached herein are the activities of the unit.
[p. 9]
OFFICE OF THE PROCESSING TEAM
HQ. & HQ. CO., 4th REPL. BN.
CAMP MURPHY
APO 75
ACTIVITIES IN THE GUERRILLA UNIT:
I. From February 1943 to February 1945, noting the Japanese movement in Tanawan, Sto. Tomas, Malvar, Lipa, Rosario, of Batangas province, and recruiting membership and contacting different guerrilla leaders.
(a) February 27, 1945, contacted Col. Quintin Gellidon & Major Schommer in Tagaytay City, C.O. overall guerrillas, 11th Airborne Div.
(1) Submitted reports about the conditions of the Japs in Tanawan, Sto. Tomas, & Lipa.
(2) To find out our respective assignments & sectors.
(b) March 1 to 15, 1945, assembled the men.
(c) March 15, 1945, attached to the 2nd Bn. under Lt. Robert of the 187th Inf Regt. of the 11th Airborne Division stationed in Balele, Tanawan, Batangas.
(d) March 20 to April 10, 1945, taken to Macolot Mt. of Batangas, for patrol operation where so many were killed.
(e) April 10 to 22, taken to Sapac Mt. Lipa, on patrol under Capt. Bowers and Lt. McDonald, Sgt. Jack Crause in charge.
(f) April 25 to May 1, stationed in Natatas for resting.
(g) May 1 to July 23, used by the municipal mayor of Tanawan, Batangas for policing and protecting the municipality from the Japanese stragglers.
[p. 10]
OFFICE OF THE PROCESSING TEAM
HQ. & HQ. CO. 4th REPL. BN.
CAMP MURPHY
APO 75
TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN:
I, the undersigned, AVELINO T. TAPIA, USAFFE, Capt. of the guerrillas, commanding officer of B Company, a unit of [the] LIPA GUERRILLA REGIMENT under LT. COL. FELINO PARAN, do hereby state the following:
That way back on 15 February 1943, I organized a company of guerrillas on the northeast shore of Taal Lake, Taal, Batangas, with its main base in the barrio of Boot, Tanawan, Batangas. The activities and undertakings of my unit are stated in the attached copy.
Due consideration is requested regarding this matter.
[p. 11]
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
MUNICIPALITY OF MATAASNAKAHOY
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: