Lt. Col. WP Moore's Letter to Emilio Alcazar about the Non-Recognition of the Alcazar Bn
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Alcazar Battalion was a guerrilla unit purportedly founded by one Emilio Alcazar in the town of Talisay, Batangas in March of 1942. It was supposedly initially affiliated with Marcos Agustin’s guerrilla outfit but, because of difficulties in communicating with the mother unit, it later became attached instead to the Hunters-ROTC. Communication with this other large organization, however, was also poor so that essentially, the Alcazar Battalion operated independently. In this page is a transcription1 of the official communication from the United States Army written by one Lt. Col. W. P. Moore informing Alcazar of his outfit’s non-recognition.
[p. 1]
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
3 JUL 1948
Mr. Emilio Alcazar
Talisay, Batangas
Dear Mr. Alcazar:
The “Alcazar Battalion,” purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control,\ is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.
A set of general requirements for guerrilla recognition, established by General MacArthur during the liberation of the Philippines, has been used as a guide in considering the record of this unit. After careful investigation and full consideration of all available substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted for reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of this unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
c. A definite organization was not established.
d. Adequate records were not maintained (names, ranks, dates of enlistment or joining, dates of promotions, and necessary related information).
e. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
f. Members of the unit did not devote their entire effort to military activities in the field to the exclusion of normal civilian occupation and family obligations.
g. Many members apparently lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming or other civilian pursuits and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
h. Some personnel listed as members of the unit assisted it by contributing money and supplies but did not serve in a capacity considered to justify such membership.
[p. 2]
i. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
It is requested that you comply with the provisions of Executive Order No. 68, by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 September 1945, copy attached.
Lt. Col., AGD
Ass’t Adj Gen
1 Incl:
Lt. Col. Hugh L. Carnahan:
1. The “Alcazar Battalion,” consisting of 800 officers and men under the command of Emilio Alcazar, has not been favorably considered for recognition. Three of their officers and five enlisted men have been recognized in Ambot’s Guerrillas.
2. Basis for non-recognition:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. It is believed that the unit was mostly home guards as the men never participated in any combat.
c. Record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
d. All the members apparently lived at home, supporting their families by means of farming or other civilian pursuits, and assisted the guerrilla unit on a part time basis only.
2nd LT. ROLLIE E. ALLEN, INF., 0-1339745