US Army Letter Informing the Pagamutan ng Maralita of Non-Recognition
[TRANSCRIPTION]
The Pagamutan ng Maralita or the Poor Man’s Hospital was a hospital set up in Batangas Town (presently the City of Batangas) and served clandestinely as a hospital for various guerrrilla organizations operating in the province of Batangas. In this page is a transcription1 of an official communication from one Lt. Col. W. P. Moore of the Adjutant Office of the United States Army in the Philippines informing the Pagamutan ng Maralita that it was not being given official recognition.
[p. 1]
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES WESTERN PACIFIC
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDING GENERAL
3 JUL 1946
Dr. D. T. Tolentino
1176 Washington St.
Sampaloc, Manila
Dr. Tolentino:
The Pagamutan ng Maralita, 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 guideline 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 because of reasons mentioned below:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. Activities of the 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. Record of services 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
[p. 2
Lt. Col. Hugh L. Carnahan:
1. The “Pagamutan ng Maralita,” of Batangas City, Batangas, consisting of 21 members under the command of Dr. Domingo Tolentino, has not been favorably considered for recognition. Two members have been previously recognized in the 34th Division USAFFE Guerrillas of Batangas.
2. Basis for non-recognition:
a. The unit was not maintained satisfactorily in the field in opposition to the enemy.
b. A definite organization was not established.
c. Unit did not show satisfactory continuity of activity and organization.
d. Records of service were not substantiated by sufficient acceptable evidence.
e. The unit was more of a charity organization than one that specialized in aiding the guerrillas.
f. Activities of the unit did not contribute materially to the eventual defeat of the enemy.
3. Terry Adevoso and Marcos Agustin both stated that they never heard of the unit.