Hunters-ROTC Memo Relaying Instructions from General MacArthur, Jan 1945
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Hunters-ROTC was one of the large guerrilla organizations that operated in southern Luzon during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines on to the liberation period. It had many units operating in the area, including the Province of Batangas. A composite roster submitted by the overall command of the Hunters-ROTC was recognized by the United States Army as elements of the Philippine Army in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States during the liberation period. In this page is a transcription1 of a memorandum from Hunters-ROTC overall Commander Eleuterio Adevoso relaying to the citizenry in southern Luzon alleged instructions to “all Filipino patriots” from General Douglas MacArthur.
[p. 1]
UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
THE HUNTERS or ROTC GUERRILLAS
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
|
SUBJECT To |
: Instructions : All Filipino Patriots |
The set of instructions issued by General MacArthur is quoted hereunder for the information and guidance of all Filipino patriots:
“Your general norm of conduct should conform as much as possible to the following:
“1. Secure your family with such food as is available to you as rapidly as possible at points away from vital enemy installations which our military forces shall ceaselessly attack with increasing violence until destroyed.
“2. Support the local commander whom I appoint over the area in which you reside or, if none is so appointed, the local leader of the resistance movement.
“3. Avoid any assistance to the enemy but, on the contrary, harass him incessantly, taking full advantage of every favorable opportunity to do so. Harass him by disrupting his means of communication and essential lines. Harass him by destroying his munitions, food, fuel, transport, and other vital supplies, and harass him by cutting down or subjecting him at every turn, showing him that he may know no rest or relaxation within your community, that no enemy soldier may escape the face which inexorably confronts all: Death or Surrender.
“4. To the people in enemy areas far removed from the zone of active operation, I counsel a period of alertness and preparation, a period in which full advantage must be taken of favorably opportunity to strike blows, but in which premature or ill-considered action, if it be at the expense of needless loss of life, is to be avoided.
“5. Above all, I call for unity among the people, that unity so essential to the development of maximum strength at this crucial time. Let the test of your patriotism be your love of freedom. Rise above all differences, factional quarrels, disputes, and petty jealousies that all patriots unflinchingly may march shoulder to shoulder for determined action.
“6. The duration of the campaign and human suffering, which inevitably follows in the wake of war, will be, in large measure, determined by the extent of your support.
“May God strengthen you to meet this test.”
Colonel, Infantry
Commanding
[p. 2]
UNITED STATES PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FORCES
THE HUNTERS or ROTC GUERRILLAS
CP: 2nd Bn., 49th Regt.
1st Indorsement:
To: ALL COMPANY, TOWN UNIT AND WAC COMMANDERS
Commanding
1 – “B” Co.
1 – “C” Co.
1 – Lemery
1 – Taal
1 – San Luis
1 – Alitagtag-Mabini
1 – Cuenca
1 – Bauan
1 – Batangas-San Jose
1 – Taysan-Ibaan
1 – WAC-Batangas
1 – WAC-Alitagtag-Bauan
1 – WAC-Taal-Lemery
1 - File