US Army Memo to Marcelino de la Rosa on Non-Recognition of the Vulcan Regiment, Feb 1947
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Vulcan Infantry Regiment was purportedly a guerrilla organization under the command of one Major Amando D. Ylagan and was supposed to have operated in the Taal-Lemery area. Many of the alleged documented activities of this unit overlapped with those claimed by other guerrilla outfits operating in the said area. In this page is a transcriptions1 of a memorandum issued by the United States Army to one Captain Marcelino de la Rosa on the non-recognition of the Vulcan Regiment.
[p. 1]
HEADQUARTERS
PHILIPPINES-RYUKYUS COMMAND
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
APO 707
| GSCPU 91 PI |
APO 707 12 FEB 1947 |
|
SUBJECT
TO
THRU
|
: Non-Recognition of Guerrilla Unit
: Captain Marcelino D. de la Rosa,
Adjutant General's Service,
: Chief of Staff, Army of the Philippines
Army of the Philippines, Camp Murphy, Quezon City |
1. The Commanding General has directed that you be informed that the Vulcan Regiment, purporting to be a guerrilla organization under your nominal control, is not favorably considered for recognition as an element of the Philippine Army.
2. 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 substantiating records and testimony of witnesses having pertinent knowledge, recognition of this guerrilla unit is not deemed to be warranted because of the reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not 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. Adequate records were not maintained during the claimed time existence.
d. Sphere of operations and unit strength claimed by this unit were not commensurate with the nature of the terrain, limitations of communication facilities, and the degree of anti-resistance activities of the Japanese in the area during the period concerned.
e. The unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organizaion.
[p. 2]
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. All 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. The record of service was not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
3. It is considered that the previous recognition of approximately thirteen (13) officers and 143 enlisted men of the active combat units from the Canluran Combat Battalion who were recognized by the Commanding General Sixth Army and nine (9) officers and 504 enlisted men of the Canluran Regiment of the Blue Eagle Brigade recognized by the Commanding General AFWESPAC for their aid during the liberation of the Philippines constitutes adequate acknowledgement of military service.
4. It is requested that you comply with the provision of Executive Order No. 68 by the President of the Philippines, dated 26 Sept. 1945, copy attached.
1 Incl:
Col G. F. Lillard:
1. The “Vulcan Regiment,” consisting of 1,608 men, has not been favorably considered. 669 members have previously been recognized.
2. This unit does not fulfill the requirements of the five basic points for recognition. See attached Team Leader’s report.
3. No useful purpose will be accomplished by further investigation of this unit.
4. All worthy members have been recognized and there is a separate casualty roster.
[Sgd.] Lt. George E. Kemper
2. Concur: Lt Col S. J. Palos, Chief, Unit Branch
3. Concur: Maj Vincent Coates