Limjoco's Memo to PHILRYCOM on Guerrilla Casualties, June 1947
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Joe Perez’s Forces of the Batangas Military Army, which claimed to have been affiliated with the guerrilla organization of Bernard Anderson, was formed by one Conrado T. Limjoco, who was also the supposed commander of the half of this guerrilla organization that operated in Batangas from Calaca to Nasugbu. The organization, which operated out of the town of Lian, would collectively fail to gain official recognition by the United States Army, but as was the case in many other guerrilla outfits, some of its individual members did obtain recognition. In this page is a transcription1 of memo sent by Limjoco to PHILRYCOM (Philippines-Ryukyus Command) about the casualties of the Batangas Military Area, Anderson’s Guerrillas.
[p. 1]
BATANGAS MILITARY AREA
ANDERSON’S GUERRILLAS
|
SUBJECT
TO
ATTN
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: Batangas Military Area Casualties
Anderson's Guerrillas
: The Commanding General, PHILRYCOM, APO 707
: G-3, Guerrilla Affairs Division
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1. Members included in the attached casualty roster were inducted at the same time and at the same place but not all rendered continuous active service. Certain phases of their activities were so light that they do not merit the classification of ACTIVE.
2. We were in desperate need of arms as the final showdown got closer, as the Japs were getting more vicious. There was need for some show of moderate aggressiveness, at least, for our protection as well as to offset what might what might be a psychologically bad effect on the people. To secure the arms, we sent out one group composed of eight men to Cavite and Bataan.
3. Out of this group, six returned on a “batel” (fair-sized seagoing sailboat) which was intercepted by a Jap patrol in Wawa, Nasugbu. One managed to get by. The arms they hid in the boat were confiscated and the five were taken to Aga, Nasugbu, where the Japs had a troop concentration. This happened a week before Lian, Batangas was zonified.
4. On 15 January 1945, a mission was sent to steal the arms and ammunition hidden by the Japs in a garrison near Lian, Batangas. About forty-five men infiltrated into the town proper and merged with the townspeople. They were given three days to complete said mission. Early on 16 January 1945, while in the process of completing their preparation for the next move, the town was encircled by the Japs. Retreat was impossible. On the pretext of holding a meeting that morning, the Japs told the people to gather at the church and schoolhouse. Then followed a thorough investigation of guerrilla suspects. Not all could be expected to stand the severe punishments given by them. Information wrung from the weak, papers and bits of belongings gathered, all pointed to one definite conclusion; there were guerrillas in town and they were bent on something. The Japs thought that the garrison was to be attacked. Of this group, only nine escaped through a woman’s daring and nerve. The remainder were sent to San Diego (Municipality of Lian) and others to Aga, Nasugbu, where they were executed.
5. After the liberation and people were able to go about, municipal representatives and relatives joined in the search for these men. They brought back mortal remains and clothing and trinkets of all sorts.
[p. 2]
Page 2, Ltr to CG, PHILRYCOM, Subj: Batangas Military Casualties, Andersons Guerrillas (Cont’d)
To expedite reporting, the municipal authorities listed them all as having died on the same day including the first group who were sent to Cavite and Bataan.
Batangas Military Area
Anderson’s Guerrillas