Notable Guerrilla Leaders and Units Tracked by SWPA.


Luzon:

Central Luzon (26 October 1944)
COL Claude Thorp organized and led the Central Luzon Guerrilla Force in Mount Pinatubo area of Pampanga until he was captured in October 1942.  
Lapham, Anderson and Ramsey inherited his troops. 

Anderson’s Guerrillas: MAJ Bernard Anderson in Bulacan and Tayabas in early 1943 – ‘pro-Japanese Filipino agent’ obtained Anderson’s roster leading to purge that hurt strength –– had agents in Manila, Mt Kalaonan, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Bicol – by October 1944, had 20,000 members.

Boone’s Guerillas: CPT John Boone  had five regiments of men who lived in their homes in the Japanese occupied Bataan-Zambales province and assembled in secret – believed to combat the Hukbalahaps – loosely connected with Merrill.

Bulacan: 40 men operated near Baliuag, Bulcan under Pacifico Cabreras.

Cavite Hunters: CPT Leonardo Aquino of the Hunters organized 400 poorly armed and trained men in Bataan and Zambales in late 1943. 

Chinese Anti-Japanese Guerilla Force: ethnically Chinese groups (Workers; Union, Dramatic Clubs, Chinese Cultural Association and Salvation Association in Bataan) in, Laguna, Taybas, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan and Rizal, with a branch at Batangas in southern Luzon – mostly engaged in anti-Japanese propaganda.

East Central Luzon Guerilla Area (ECLGA): MAJ Edwin P. Ramsey (26th U.S. Cavalry) sent by Thorp to organize guerrillas in Montalban, Rizal – by September 1944, Ramsey claimed 45,000 members, 7,000 armed – fought with Hukbalahaps – lacked direct communication and relayed through Fertig and then Smith – guerrilla 4th Ordnance Detachment under Pedro Villaluz operated in Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija working with Ramsey. 

Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT) -- COL Hugh Straughn group in east central Luzon from Bulacan., Manila, Batangas, Tayabas and Bicol – Straughn captured in August 1943, most members joined Marking’s, the Hunters , and President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas (PQOG) in Batangas – by September 1944, COL Elliot P. Ellsworth led remaining 400 poorly armed men near Antipolo, Rizal.

Francisco Guerrillas: Antonio Francisco rallied another 1,000 men around Castillejos and San Marcelino -- reportedly under COL Merrill’s support and guidance. 

The Free Philippines: formed at end of 1941 by young professionals in Manila, many member of the Civil Liberties Union –clearing house for intelligence contacts – intelligence evaluated by LTC Narciso Manzano– supplied information to Merrill, Ramsey, Marking, Hunter and Anderson – many arrested and executed by mid-1944.

Hukbalahaps (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Japon -“People’s Army to Fight the Japs”): General Mateo del Castillo’s large independent group in Bulacan and Pampanga – used communists Chinese communist model as ‘military phase of the United Party Front’ –– from 10,000 members in 1942 grew to 100,000 by 1944 –areas in Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Manila and Laguna under their control –opposed and fought all other guerrilla groups and anyone ‘pro-American.’

The Hunters (aka The ROTC, Terry’s Hunters): Terry Magangol organized 300 Philippine Military Academy and ROTC cadets personnel in the Antipolo Mountains -- with COL Ramirez’s 34th Division until he was captured – openly fought with Marking in early 1944 and with Huks -- Anderson intervened with loose association.

Intelligence Echelon, 43rd Division, Free Luzon Area -- CPT Ildefonso Fernandez (alias H.J. Hocson) until captured March -- main intelligence organization on Luzon - based near Tanauan, Taybayas. -- CPT V.A. Albastro (possibly CPT V. Andal) got Peralta to name him Fernandez’s successor in August 1943 -- Japanese agents uncovered the unit and captured most of its agents in early 1944 -- included 1,000 persons in four regiments for intelligence and sabotage around Manila.

Lapham’s Guerrillas: COL Robert B Lapham (CPT, 26th US Cavalry) in North Central Luzon, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan – well organized 13,000 man force -- sent sub-groups under CPT Albert Hendrickson to western Tarlac and Ray Hunt to San Quentin, Pangasian –SWPA sent LT Enrique Torres to assist in intelligence matters.

L.O.D.:  a mysterious sabotage unit operated in Manila supported by Fertig – the only known member was Jose Flores.

Marking Guerrillas: Marcos Villa Agustin founded in April 1942 in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Rizal - spread throughout central Luzon -- - “backbone of the organization is a woman known as Yay Panillo.” – by May 1944, claimed 200,000 members, reportedly 5,000 armed – supported by Anderson 

CPT Ralph McGuire’s Guerrillas: organized guerrillas in Bataan-Zambales province in May 1943 under the 26 US Cavalry until he died in late 1942 or early 1943. 

Pangasinan: a lightly organized group of guerrilla agents operated under Umingan, San Nicolas, Asingan, San Quentin and Tying under men like Jose de Guzman.

President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas (PQOG): Vicente Umali, former Mayor of Tiang, Tayabas, organized this group in central Laguna, Batangas and western central Tayabas in early 1942 – claimed by Marking – contact with Anderson and Fertig– claimed 10,000 members in 11 regiments.

Tayabas Guerrilla Vera’s Army (TVG): General Guadencia Vera (PVT Philippine Scouts) - about 100 men women and children in early 1942 – ruthlessness and banditry – contact with LT Bob Stahl from SWPA in May 1944 – by July was a well organized paramilitary unit of 1,000 – secured Bondoc Peninsula.

The United States Philippine Island Force (USPIF) – Thorp troops reformed in the Botolan-Olangapo area mid-1943 – by late 1944, 6,000 men under commander Gualberto Sia 

United States Philippines Irregular Forces (USPIF): organized by Gualberto Sia from remnants of McGuire’s troops near Olongapa and Botolan in Zambales – attached to Anderson (based in Tayabas) in early 1944 – by then counted 4,000 men 

The Western Luzon Guerrilla Force (WLGF): - LTC Gyles Merrill reassembled in May 1943 in mountain hideouts northeast of San Marcelino in Zambales -- by May 1944, this organization reported 8,000 members, including 1,000 active guerrillas, half of whom were armed with 500 rifles and 10,000 rounds of ammunition. 

Bicol Area of Southern Luzon (7 November 1944)
COL Montano Zabat of Albay, MAJ Lapus and Governor Escudero of Sorsogon fought for leadership in this area. None were recognized by SWPA as district commander. 

Aguilar: MAJ Aguilar reportedly led a band in the Tabao-Tiwi Zone that contributed minor intelligence reports.

Bagong Ktipunan: 200 men under ‘General’ Orobia around Jovellar.

Camp Tingawagan Guerillas: CPT Dinasco O. Dianela in Camaroan -- in May 1942 sent 65 men to assault on Naga – June 1942 agreed with Japanese to not resist their platoon garrison – November 1942 Dianela accused Japanese of violating truce and attacked – with Flor, forced Japanese to withdraw in January 1943– late February 1943 Boayes entered area – July 1943 Dianela was away with Boayes chasing Miranda to Catanduanes when the Japanese attacked Caramoan – Padua sent forces to assist Dianela and Japanese forced back with losses – left with about 150 men in Caramoan-Catanduanes area – worked with Zabat.

Escudero: with17 men from Lapus, Governor Salvador Escudero kept government going when guerrillas disbanded – supplied P20,000 to Lapus but accused him of “embezzlement and bandity” – broke with Lapus by 1943 -- built 1,500 man group in Sorsogon province – fought with Lapus’ rebuilt group – March 1943 Escudero fell ill and was evacuated to Samar – Lapus convinced Merritt to drive Escudero off Samar – June had 300 armed men -- sent son Antonio to Panay for authority to organize all of Bicol – July 1943 announced Straughn had promoted him to COL and warned Peralta he would not tolerate recognition of anyone else in Bicol – gained support of wealthier citizens – March 1944 drove Lapus from province – established contact with LTC Smith on Samar – April 1944 rebuffed attempt by Lapus to secure cooperation – May 1944 rebuffed Barros liaison from Anderson.

Flor: CPT Faustino Flor went to peninsula northeast of Albay with about 50 men in mid-1942 – approached by Zabat in late 1943 but refused to cooperate – chose to cooperate with Lapus instead – accused by Zapat of being a Japanese spy – as of July 1944 Flor’s activities were unknown, but assumed to still have 50 men between Camarines Sur and Albay.

Lapus’ Guerillas: MAJ Licerio P. Lapus (Provincial Inspector of Sorgoson PC) evacuated Sorgoson in December 1941 and conducted raids – built large organization around Carachayon – temporarily disbanded but sent 17 men to Governor Escudero – developed conflict with Escudero – December 1942 Peralta recruits Lapus as 67th Infantry Regiment – stays with Peralta as the 54th Regiment (5th MD) - August 1943 Lapus ceded command to Sandico in 56th Regiment - Escudero charged Lapus with unlawful declaration of martial law – Peralta created bloody competition between Lapus, Zabat and Escudero – Lapus persuaded Miranda to join 54th Regiment – February 1944 made contact with LTC Smith  on Samar – Escudero evicted Lapus from province – Lapus contacted Andrews on Negros, Merritt on Samar and Miranda on Caramines Sur – July 1944 Smith gave Lapus P8,000 – 19 October Lapus requested GHQ immediately recognize him as CO of 5th MD – claimed 2,600 armed men with a division in reserve (probably closer to 1,500 poorly armed men) in Albay Province, west coast of Sorsogonm and part of Ticao Island – “most military” in Bicol.

Loyal Brotherhood (Bagong Katipunan) under “GEN” Gerardo P. Orobia near Jovellar, south Albay, and Camarines Sur with about 200 men.

Matas Guerrillas: COL Mata: controlled 75-100 armed men in the northern part of Camarines Norte.

Miranda : CPT Juan Q. Miranda organized guerrillas near Libmanan, Camarines Sur, in early 1942 – mid 1942 absorbed guerrillas under LT Leon Sa Aureus – July 1942 joined with Boayes’s VTG in Libmanan areas – broke with Boayes in June 1943 – Boayes chased Miranda to Cataniuanes Island  -- Aureus stayed with Miranda’s men and later joined Zabat – December 1943 Miranda returned to resume command – Miranda broke with Zabat and joined Lapus in January 1944 – by August 1944 Miranda had 300 armed men in Camp Tancing in Camarines Sur as the “53rd Regiment” as part of Lapus organization. 

Padua: MAJ T.B. Padua in the San Miguel Bay area – under COL Zabat – in August 1943 claimed four companies but only 40 weapons – early 1944 claimed 2,000 men (probably really 350 armed men) organized as 53rd Regiment, 51st (Zabat) Division.

Sandico’s Guerrillas: MAJ Francisco Sandico (Senior Constabulary in Bicol) organized USAFFE remnants of Straughn’s FAIT in March 1942 – until early 1943 was allied with Lapus – rejected Zabat– declined to replace Escudero – late 1944 had 400 men in “55th Regiment” in Albay and southwest Camarine.

Tacerua: CPT Tacerua on Burias Island with small unit – thought to have accepted contact with Zabat but also recruited by Lapus and Padua.

Vinson’s Travelling Guerillas: LT Wenceslao Q. Vinson (former governor) organized about 100 men on 18 December 1941– MAJ Francisco (Turko) Boayes led on raids from January-July 1942 – 3 day siege and capture of capital Daet on 30 April 1942 –Vinson was captured and executed – Boayes rallied survivors and joined Miranda to fight Japanese in Camarines Sur before returning in December to Camarines Norte -- organized 300-400 armed men in Camarines Norte – fell in under COL Zabat.

Zabat: COL Montano Zabat of Albay -- August 1943 brought Aureus and Padua into cooperation – November 1943 Boayes and Padua nominated Zabat for LTC and CO of Bicol Free Forces – January 1944 obtained loyalty pledges from Sandico, Lelis, and Capayas, and informed Peralta of his new organization – Sandico renounced  his pledge but Lelis and Capayas stayed with Zabat – Peralta offered 5th MD to Zabat if Miranda, Lapus, Escudero and Flor joined him – February 1944 sent Boayes to Lapus, Padua to Escudero and CPT Garcia to Miranda – unification efforts failed – battled with Lapus on 21 July in Monito -- Zabat claimed command of 5th MD with about 800-1,000 men based in Albay – most powerful group in Bicol.



Northern Luzon (16 November 1944)
No regional commander appointed.\

14th Infantry and Coordinated Command (Nakar): MAJ (later LTC) Guillermo Z. Nakar assumed command of remnants of the 14th Infantry Regiment mainly in Nueva Vizcaya – made radio contact with SWPA from June to September - captured near Cabanatuan, Nuevo Ecija -- executed in November and as many as 5,000 of his men surrendered or dispersed -- LTC Manuel Enriquez assumed command and coordinated 43rd, 121st and 14th Infantry units with HQ in a Nacoco Store in Baguio -- Enriquez detained by the Japanese but released in October 1943 General Amnesty -- reorganized the guerrillas in the Mountain Province -- December 1943 began radio communications from Baguio through CPT Ali Al-Raschid, Chief of Police of Baguio -- late 1943 swindler Franco Vera Reyes obtained a 14th Infantry roster -- Enriquez disbanded most of his unit -- Japanese raid on the Nacoco Store rounded up most of the remainder of Enriquez’s men -- Enriquez was captured in February 1944. 

26th Cavalry (Praeger’s Guerrillas):  CPT (later MAJ) Ralph B Praeger kept elements of Troop C of the 26th Cavalry (PS) active first near Tuguegaroa, Cagayan, then east of Vigan in Ilocos Sur -- former Cagayan Province governor Marcello Adduru worked closely with Praeger before he went to Manila in June 1943 to surrender and secure a position with the Japanese to funnel intelligence to the guerrillas -- LT Bonito Bulan worked with Adduru in Isabela -- Adduru and Praeger were captured in August 1943 and executed in November. 

43rd Infantry (Calvert Guerrillas): MAJ Parker Calvert commanded remnants of the 43rd Infantry Regiment in Begnuet -- Companies were Igorot Philippine Scouts from Bontoc and Ifugao tribes near Baguio where COL Horan was post commander -- Under pressure they fell back north and east towards Nueva Vizcaya but never linked up with MAJ Warner -- Horan surrendered in May 1942 – Calvert joined Volckmann’s guerrillas.

121st Infantry (Barnett Guerrillas):  MAJ Walter Cushing commanded remnants of the 121st Infantry Regiment mainly in Abra and La Union Province in late 1942. -- Japanese captured most of the guerrilla leaders in Abra -- Cushing was captured in Pangasinan in September 1942 -- CPT William Arthur succeeded him but was captured in later 1942 -- MAJ George Barnett took command northwest of San Fernando, La Union and played havoc with enemy communications in the province – joined Volckmann.

Ablan’s Guerrillas: Roques Ablan, former governor of Ilocos Norte, established group in the Ilocos-Abra area but under pressure from the Japanese went inactive with about 100 men around April 1943 in the hills near Carazi, Ilocos Norte. 

Erasmus(?): LT Benidicto Erasmus (?) (SGT PA) was reported to be leading a guerrilla group in Nueva Vizcaya affiliated with Peralta. 

Ganlan(?): an independent guerrilla group under MAJ Gaular (or Ganlan?) was reported to be in Ilocos in December 1943. 

LTC Gregorio Manalo took command of PC units in the Mountain, Cagayan and Isabela Provinces until his capture in Manila in early 1944. 

Lapham’s Guerrillas: CPT Lapham met with CPT Ball near Baler, Tayabas, in May 1944 and received a radio -- maintained contact with SWPA after August 1944 -- maintained an uneasy separation from Volckmann. 

Moses-Noble Guerillas and Coordinated Command:  LTC Arthur Noble and LTC Martin Moses organized guerrillas in central and western Luzon beginning late February 1943 -- claimed to have 6,000 guerrillas from the remnants of the 14th, 121st and 43rd Infantry -- sent intelligence through runners to Praeger for radio --April 1943 Japanese attacked in Kabugao and captured Moses, Noble and a number of their leaders near Lubuagan, Kaliga, Mountain Province in June – surviving forces reorganized by Volckmann.

MAJ Everett L. Warner - January 1942 organized remnant of the Philippine Army 11th, 71st and possibly 91st Divisions in the Lingayen Gulf area -- Warner surrendered in May 1942.

Volckmann’s Guerrillas: After the capture of Moses and Noble, MAJ (later COL) Russell W. Volckmann assumed command -- no contact with SWPA for a long time -- coordinated with remnants of the 14th after Enriquez was captured -- Volckmann reorganized guerrillas into the United States Forces in Philippines (Northern Luzon) (USFIP-NL) with three partially armed regiments of the 11th Division totaling 10,000 men -- radio contact began in September 1944 reporting on all 1st Military District in Northern Luzon --  robust program of intelligence gathering, sabotage, ambushes and training – few supplies from SWPA reached Volckmann. 


Visayas:

Bohol Island (15 December 1944)
In December 1943 SWPA recognized MAJ Ismael P. Ingeniero as the Bohol Area Commander (not including Cebu).

“Behind the Clouds”:  3LT Ismael P. Ingeniero formed the largest band in Bohol, the “Behind the Clouds” guerrillas, in June 1942 in the north and central part of the island -- inclined to take orders from his old bass Gador, whom Ingeniero alone recognized as commander of Negros Oriental.

Boforce: Ingeniero assumed the rank of MAJ and command of all Bohol forces in November 1943 -- developed well-organized guerrilla Boforce with a HQ at Carmen at the center of Bohol -- organized several regiments of battalions and a “Women’s Auxiliary Service’ (WAS) that produced clothing and equipment and raised funds for the guerrillas -- circulated a newspaper, “Bolos and Bullets,” edited by attorney G. Lavilles -- Ingenerio claimed command of the 8th MD including Cebu and Bohol and extended intelligence to Cebu City – strained relations with Cushing’s Cebu Area Command -- SWPA delivered some supplies in late 1943 -- In December SWPA recognized Ingeniero as the Bohol Area Commander (but not Cebu) and sent him a radio -- June 1944, plot by his junior officers to kill and overthrow Ingeniero disrupted by the arrival of Senator Carlos P. Garcia --  Ingniero reportedly went to Panay -- 23 June, Japanese force landed and swept Bohol, dispersing the guerrillas -- end of July 1944, Japanese withdrew except for a small garrison -- Ingniero’s deputy, CPT Estaban Bernido, reorganized the remaining men -- Ingniero returned in August/September --  Boforce sent agents to Cebu, Negros and Leyte to request arms and ammunition and a radio -- end of  September, Ingniero reported to SWPA that his force was active against the Japanese garrison -- Boforce was reorganized into the 84th, 85th, and 86th Regiments with a total of about 8,000 poorly armed men.

“East Bohol Battalion”: a band that was active in the east and south of Bohol in mid-1942 – CPT Victoriano Blancas surrendered the USAFFE garrison on Bohol in 1942 but his Executive Officer and Adjutant, 1LT José M Maneja led a group of resisters into the hills in western Leyte and formed a base called “Camp Liberty” -- Maneja returned to Bohol in mid-1942 – November, convened competing guerrilla groups and they agreed to unite behind Ingeniero -- they also formed a civil government which served as a base of power for the guerrillas.

The Volunteer Guard: Created before the war, it converted into a Bolo Battalion to act as messengers and couriers, move supplies, and serve as sentries.


Cebu Island (15 November 1944)
LTC James Cushing recognized as CO of Cebu area and sent him supplies by SWPA -- established direct radio contact in March 1944

Cushing-Fenton: Harry Fenton (American born Aaron Feinstein) coalesced several small bands of guerrillas in north Cebu by mid-1942 – merged with LTC James Cushing southern guerrillas -- Fenton hung all suspect collaborators and spies -- Cushing was protective of the Filipino civilians -- administrative HQ at Fenton’s camp in Maslog and combat HQ seven miles away at Cushing’s camp at Mangalon Heights – March 1943 Japanese campaign in Cebu forced Fenton to suspended operations – mid 1943 food and currency ran short -- Fenton-Cushing had about 9,000 men, 1/2 armed, and 1/3 civilian volunteers – popular Governor Hilario Abellana carried on government in exile – July 1943 Japanese captured Fenton’s wife and children and Cushing’s brother – Cushing went to Negros in August to meet Villamor, leaving orders with his executive officer LTC Richard Estrella to arrest Fenton -- 15 September, Estrella arrested and executed Fenton and his loyal officers -- Estrella then reorganized his remaining 3,500 men -- Cushing returned to Cebu in November and found Estrella in command with evidence that he accepted P60,000 from the Japanese to deliver Cushing -- through early 1944 Cushing rebuilt his unit into the 85th, 86th, 87th, and 88th Regiments with 5,687 men and some 2,700 mixed arms -- June 1944 Cushing claimed 25,000 volunteer guards and faced revived Japanese attacks in August that damaged Cushing’s organization -- Cushing requested command of Bohol (also part of 8th MID). Fertig and Cushing claimed Bohol – through which Fertig sent supplies -- Fertig (Mindanao), Peralta (Panay) and Abcede (Negros) maintained agents on Bohol – April 1944 captured Japan’s Z Plan.



Leyte Island (as of 7 October 1944)
COL Rupert K. Kangleon appointed Leyte Area Commander on 21 October 1943.
209 officers and 3,190 men organized as the 92nd Division, Philippine Army.

Balderian Group: LTC Alejandro Balderian  - in Northern Leyte. Combined forces with Kangleon in mid-1943 to form 95th Regiment of Leyte guerrillas. 

Centino Group: MAJ Circiaco Centino (father) and MAJ Isabelo Centino (son) –operates in Northeast Leyte in Jaro, Pastrana and Palo – subordinate to Balderian group.

Cinco Group: COL Antonio C. Cinco – former Japanese informer threatened with execution – formed guerrilla group in Tanauan, Dagami, Tolosa, Burauen, Dulag, and La Paz – became 1st Battalion, 85th Regiment under Kangleon.

Lang-Jain Group: LT Gordon A. Lang (American Navy Yeoman) in southern Leyte – MAJ Porfirio E. Jain and LT Jose Nazareno formed group on Panaon Island – Jain took over Lang’s group – became 94th Regiment of Leyte forces under Kangleon.

Leyte Provisional Regiment: SGT Terraz (after COL Cornell surrendered). When KIA followed by SGT Antonio Juan. When Juan is KIA,. the unit divided between Centino and Pabilona. 

Miranda Group: BG Blas Miranda (alias COL Briguez and former LT in USAFFE . PC) – started from Palompon to Baybay – refused to serve under Kangleon – strongly influenced by 6th MD Commander Peralta – Kangleon drove Miranda and some of his top men to Bohol and –reorganized group into 96th Regiment of Leyte Command.

Pabilona Group: LTC Filemon Pabilona -- controls area around San Miguel, Babatngon, Alangalang and unoccupied Tacloban – became 2nd Battalion, 95th Regiment of Kangleon’s forces. 

Pamanian Group: LTC Felic Pamanian -- Mount Capoocan area of Northern Leyte – joined by guerrilla band under CPT C. Corpin (USAFFE) from Biliran --  Corpin becomes Kangleon’s Assistant G-3 – becomes 3rd Battalion, 95th Regiment


Negros Island (10 December 1944)
SWPA appointed LTC Salvador Abcede Acting 7th District Commander in July 1943, confirmed in March 1944, and made official in October 1944.

Abcede:  LTC Salvador Abcede (CPT, PA), refused to surrender with COL Hilsman and turned battalion with supplies and 600 rifles into guerrilla unit in the central and southern Negros Occidental area in July 1942 – with officers from nearby plantations, maintained supply sources -- MAJ Enrique Torres formed a unit for Abcede near Sinalbagan -- pushed into the mountains with many families -- early August, fight with Japanese near Buenavista -- reached out to LTC Mata in the north and Ausejo in the south – by November 1942, Abecede had 7,000 men and joined Peralta’s IV Philippines Corps as LTC and commander of the 72nd Division (Negros) -- reorganized into the 73rd Provisional Division in Negros Oriental -- Japanese attack around Kabakalan-Binalbagan -- January 1943, IV Corps disbanded but Peralta continued to support Abcede -- 8 July 1943, SWPA replaced Villamor with Abcede as acting commander of 7th MD -- Japanese increased attacks on the south coast from Dumaguete to Sipalay -- food production collapsed -- Abcede dispersed his men and supplies, established early warning systems, and maintained high levels of secrecy -- developed highly productive intelligence networks and assisted with a number of downed pilot recoveries -- evacuation of American left Negros with an entirely Philippine guerrilla organization. 

Ausejo and Bell: Dr. Henry Roy Bell (American Professor organized the evacuation of the Siliman University equipment and personnel to Malabo and Lake Balinsasayao when Japanese landed on Negros -- assisted in government affairs in south Negros -- Bell set up a camp at Malabe, west of Dumaguete -- slowly students and alum formed Bolo Battalions: ROTC instructor MAJ B.N. Viloria led one battalion; an USAFFE LT from Mindanao led another at Malabo; high school teacher CPT Felix Estrada and CPT Leon Flores each led battalions near Dumaguete; Victor Jornales and SGT David Cirilo led two more -- all under the guidance of Bell -- confined the Japanese to their garrisons in Dumaguete, Bais, and Tanjay --local Chinese merchant Manuel Sy Cip obtained supplies – after Gador declined Bell’s request to take command, Bell recruited MAJ Placido Ausejo in October 1942 -- renamed their 1,000-man force as the 75th Regiment with headquarters in Malabo -- Bell got  food and money from Fertig on Mindanao in late 1942 in return for the 75th Regiment joining Fertig’s command -- February 1943, USAFFE LT Louis Vail helped Bell make radio contact with SWPA -- May, SWPA pulled the 75th from Fertig for Villamor ‘s 7th MD -- Villamor appointed Bell as a MAJ under and Chairman of the 7th MD  Research Board -- Vail become 73rd Division Signal Officer -- Ausejo became Abcede’s G-3 in the 7th MD -- Bell served as senior Civil Administrator -- June and November 1943, Japanese raids burned Bell’s camps and he was nearly captured with his family in November -- early 1944 Bell and his family were evacuated via submarine to Australia.

Gador: LTC Gabriel Gador was the 7th MD Commander (Negros and Siquijor) when war began -- General Sharp fired Gador from 7MD and moved him to staff on Mindanao – Gador claimed Sharp ordered him to return to Negros to organize guerrillas -- returned to Negros in June 1942 and remained hidden until August/September -- emerged in central Negros Oriental and accepted Mercado’s offer to command his guerrillas -- obstructed surrounding organizations with arguments and pilfering of personnel – clashed with other guerrillas -- maintained discipline, established training schools, improved communications, and set up an apparently effective civil government -- little actual engagement with the enemy -- had perhaps 2,000 poorly armed men -- began promoting relatives to senior positions -- October 1942, Mercado broke with Gador -- Gador refused Bell and Abcede who asked him to take command of all of Negros -- when Abcede united Negros under Peralta’s IV Corps, Gador declared his command over Negros on orders of Sharp -- January 1943, Fertig claims command of all Mindanao and Visayan guerrillas and asks Gador to Mindanao to discuss his role -- Gador announced himself as commander of all the Philippines as Major General --  ignored by all other guerrillas -- April 1943, Gador rebuffed Villamor’s call for unity on the behalf of SWPA -- Peralta supported Mata, Fertig supported Ausejo, Villamor supported Abcede -- May 1943, SWPA appointed Villamor temporary commander of the 7MD --- Mata, Abcede and Ausejo gave support to Villamor -- Gador agreed to be Executive Officer but resigned and resumed his opposition – undermined Villamor’s mission – September, Gador refused to support Abcede as acting 7th MD commander  -- threatened to disrupt Ausejo’s organization, intelligence collection, and communication to Cebu -- December 1943, former Chief of Staff LTC Aspilla led a coup against Gador who fled to Bohol with a handful of loyal subordinates -- Aspilla brought Gador’s remaining organization under 7th MD command -- on Bhol Gador reported to MAJ Isamael P. Inginiero -- Gador disappeared after the Japanese landed in Bohol in late June 1944 until December 1944 when he went to Leyte. 

Mata: LTC Ernesto S. Mata (CPT PA), reorganized his battalion in northern Negros after Hilsman’s surrender -- remained elusive to SWPA -- damaged installations in the Bacolod area near Fabrico and prevented the Japanese from developing resources in northern Negros -- December 1942, went with Abcede to Peralta who named Mata chief of staff and regimental commander under Abcede in the 72nd Division (Negros) -- Mata later made Chief of Staff in the District Headquarters while he remained CO of 72nd Division until a replacement was found. 

Mercado: MAJ Hermenegildo Mercada organized guerrillas around Guilhulngan and north to Negros Oriental in May/June 1942 -- joined Gador in September but broke away again the next month after an  argument -- remained independent until he finally joined the 7th MD in September/October 1943 as the Commander of the 72nd FA Regiment (East Negros sector), 72 Division.

Puring: ‘Puring’ (possbily Casiong Gemillan, PFC PA) and his brother Margarito Gemillan led a lawless band in the hills to the west of Valiohermoso, Negros Oriental, and San Carlos, Negros Occidental -- believed to have had 50 weapons captured from a USAFFE before the surrender -- Puring reportedly killed in a firefight with Abcede’s men -- succeeded by his brother -- attacked the Japanese, guerrillas, and civilians -- seemed to dissolve in September 1944.

Siquijor: MAJ Benito Cunanan (retired Philippine Scout) organized two battalions of guerrillas -- drove off several Japanese landings from August 1942 through June 1943 -- killed the puppet governor -- October 1942, joined Ausejo’s new  75th Regiment as the 4th Provisional Battalion -- June 1943,  Fertig’s Chief of Staff, CPT Luis P Morgan, recruited Cunanan as commander of the 8th MD (Cebu and Bohol) without Fertig’s authority -- 2LT Eduardo Cornella became commander of M Company, 75th Regiment, 73rd Division -- Cunanan went to Cebu to assume command resulting in much confusion -- eventually Cunanan left Cebu to assume duties as the HQ Commandant for 7th MD -- June 1943, Japanese landed at Larena and dispersed the guerrillas. 

Villamor— SWPA inserted MAJ Jesus Villamor into southern Negros in January 1943 when Abcede, Ausejo and Gador were arguing and Peralta and Fertig fought over control of Negros – Villamor ordered to remain out of guerrilla affairs -- Gador exploited the lack of Villamor’s authority -- appointed by SWPA as temporary 7th MD commander in April 1943, organized a District HQ  on Negros with Mata, Ausejo and Abecede -- appointed Bell as Negros Civil Administrator -- set up a Research Board and civil government for free Negros under Negros Occidental pre-war governor Alfredo Montelibano --  some of Gador’s officers defected to Villamor’s command -- 8 July 1943, Villamor relieved and Abcede appointed acting commander of 7th MD – October 1943, SWPA evacuated Villamor to Australia and replaced him with LTC Edwin Andrews (PA) as SWPA agent for 7th MD intelligence. 







Panay and Surrounding Islands (27 November 1944)
February 1943 Peralta was officially appointed as commander of the 6th Military District which included Panay, the Romblons, and Guimaras Island.

61st Philippine Army Division: General Christie, division commander, followed orders to surrender but allowed his Filipinos to resist. Few surrendered.  Division G-3 CPT Macario Peralta took troops to the northeast, Division Engineer Leopoldo Relunia went to eastern Panay, and 3rd Battalion, 63rd Regiment, Commander Julian Chaves headed to central Panay.  Officers Braulic Villasis went to Capiz and Cririlo Garcia went to the northwest. They all promised Christie they would not conduct guerrilla resistance until two months after the surrender. The officers, however, were Tagalog (central Luzon), outsiders on Panay, and held in suspect by local Visayans.

Tomas Confessor, Governor of Iloilo: The governors of Antique and Capiz surrendered but Confessor went to the hills with guerrillas. He organized the Provincial Guards and a messenger organization. Confessor remained in Iliolo and reconstructed civil government despite occasional pressure from Peralta. He managed to maintain a radio to broadcast news to the people of Panay and protected the people from the guerrillas, but agreed to collect taxes and give 3/4s to Peralta’s guerrillas.

CPT Macario Peralta Peralta – took troops to northeast Panay -- began organizing resistance in August 1942 -- proposed martial law – reunited other parts of the 61st Division by end of November – contained the Japanese in San Jose (Antique), Capiz town, and Iloilo City and established radio contact with SWPA -- promoted to LTC on 13 January 1943 and to COL in August -- tolerates but ignores Americans -- competed with Confesor -- LTC Pedro Serran created and ran effective intelligence network for two years -- attempted to unite the guerrilla movements across the Islands into a Philippine IV Corps with 61st Division under Relunia – maintained contacts in Negroes, Leyte, Northern Luzon. Bicol and Samar – expanded influence to Masbate, Marinuque, Mindoro and Palawan -- only Cebu and Mindanao defied Peralta -- February 1943 SWPA appointed Peralta commander of the 6th MD (ended the IV Corps) -- July 1943 the Japanese attacked captured and destroyed stocks of supplies – late 1943 the Japanese resumed attacks in northwest Panay and the Romblons – Peralta reorganized into Combat Teams – reported as 22,600 in October 1944 with 8,000 arms of various types and about 160 rounds of ammo per weapon -- between mid-1942 and October 1944 SWPA delivered 350 tons of supplies to Panay.  

Masbate:
6th MD took sent units to take control of Masbate in September 1943.

CPT Donato (1LT USAFFE) founded a guerrilla band in October 1942 – overthrown by Villaojada brothers.

Masbate Guerrillas: MAJ Vincente A. Tansiongo sent by Peralta in July 1943 to take command in Masbate – CPT Leon Gamboa sent by Peralta in September 1943 with 130 men to southwest Masbate – by November Tansiongo had reorganized the Masbate guerrillas and attached them to Gamboa who split the growing unit into three -- moved into the Milagros Peninsula and destroyed Villaojada’s boats and killed or captured his officers -- 23 January 1944 Tansiongo, Gamboa and other Masbate and Panay guerrilla leaders met with Masbate puppet government and Japanese – called a truce until Villaojada was captured or killed -- Juan killed by the Japanese on Luzon -- February 1944 Villaojada and brother killed in the northern peninsula -- Gamboa returned to Panay --Tansiongco assumed command on Masbate with Donato as his executive officer -- March 1944 Peralta assigned the 59 officers and 943 enlisted men of the Masbate guerrillas as 2nd Battalion under 2nd Combat Team. 

CPT Juan Villaojada (Jesus Azacarra): with two of his brothers formed the “Army of the Free People” of about 400 half-armed refugees from Masbate, Samar, Capiz, and Panay – brother Mariano went by the name LT Roland Bustamante and brother Isaac went by LT Nicolas Fermin -- organized a socialist government in the Milgaros Peninsula supported by a communist cell on Luzon – firmly against the 6th MD control –robbed the wealthy and gave to the poor -- printed more than P10,000 paper money forcibly exchanged with the people Philippine Treasury Notes -- February 1944 Villaojada and brother killed in the northern peninsula (see Masbate guerrillas above).

Marindduque:
6th MD took control of small guerrilla force on Marinduque in 1942 as a base for penetration into Luzon.

SGT Charles H Hickok (American radio Technician) organized 30 Filipinos into a guerrilla band in September 1942 -- November allied with Peralta who then replaced Hickok with Filipino CPT A. Cudilla – February 1943 Peralta sent Hickok to establish an intelligence center on Tablas Island – April 1943 LTC Enrique Jurado (Romblon’s commander and Peralta’s Luzon penetration chief) brought Hickok back to organize guerrillas and secure base for agents moving between Panay and Luzon -- Hickok clashed with Untalan and left. 

LT Sofronio T. Untalan (PC commander at Boac): led his men into the hills when the Japanese landed on 7 July 1942 -- surrendered on 20 July -- paroled at end of 1942 -- visited Peralta and promoted to CPT-- January 1943 returned to Marinduque as Peralta’s commander of Company M under LTC Garcia’s 60th Infantry Regiment -- January 1944 declared truce with the Junior BC of Marinduque, LT Rudolpho Tescon -- March and April 1944 reportedly assumed command of the Romblons -- October 1944 claimed 400 men with 90 arms in 4 companies.



Romblon:
6th MD took control of a weak and insignificant guerrilla force on Romblon in 1942 as a base for penetration into Luzon.

MAJ Enrique Jurado -- maintained base for radio and intelligence operations -- February 1943 organization became weak and inefficient – commandeered supplies from civilians -- executive officer CPT Mario Guarinia reported to be a politician allied with LTC Garcia in northern Panay -- inducted American refugees -- expanded to Sibuyan Island -- strength grew to about 700 by July 1943 -- November 1943 Japanese campaign in Sibuyan -- many Romblon guerrillas surrendered -- organization broken, and equipment captured or destroyed -- Jurado escaped to Mindoro and became commander there in March 1944 --  Guarinia remained in Romblon to reassemble the guerrillas as part of LTC Garcia’s 1st Combat Team -- Guarnia reportedly surrendered to the puppet government officials on Sibuyan and moved to Manila leaving a vacuum in Romblon that Untalan reached out to fill.

CPT Constantine C Raval (CPT Philippine Merchant Marine) -- organized the first guerrilla band in Romblon in November 1942 -- February 1943 Peralta replaced Raval with Jurado -- Peralta apparently sent Raval to spy in Manila where he was shot at the Malscanan Palace in mid-1944.

Mindoro:
6th MD claimed Mindoro without approval of SWPA. 

Beloncio Group: CPT Esteban P. Beloncio organized 250 guerrillas with 150 arms in 1942 around Lake Naujan -- joined with Ruffy in August 1943 in the Bolo Battalion -- influenced by Peralta and supported by Jurado -- broke with Ruffy at the end of March 1944 – Beloncio created a battalion of about 600 men with 230 arms with A Company under CPT Jose L. Garcia in northern Mindoro, B Company under 2LT Gomeraindo de la Toore in central Mindoro, and C Company under 3LT Ruel G. Beloncio in northern Mindoro -- November 1944 Beloncio reported killed in a fight with local guerrillas.

Garcia Group: Jese Garcia (civilian) organized about 100 men near Bulalacao in late 1942 -- active through May 1943 -- partially disbanded by Garcia -- remainder under CPT Esteban P Beloncio.

Jurado Group: Jurado arrived from Romblon late 1943/early 1944 with men from 1st Combat Team to observe the Verde Island passage and establish a base for penetration of Luzon -- after SWPA MAJ Lawrence H Phillips’ death, entered into the Mindoro guerrilla dispute – March, Peralta promoted Jurado to LTC in charge of Mindoro -- Ruffy ordered him to leave – Jurado promoted Beloncio to replace Ruffy -- Bolo Battalion collapsed -- July 1944 SWPA’s CMDR George F. Rowe (USNR) arrived in western Mindoro to establish a radio net and kept out of guerrilla affairs and local politics – by October 1944 Ruffy and Jurado were actively fighting, despite SWPA pleas to unite. 

Romerius Group: band organized in mid-1942 under resident of Tamarraw named Romerius (possibly a former chief of police of San Jose) -- reportedly did considerable damage to the Japanese supply around San Jose.

Ruffy Group: MAJ Jose M. Ruffy organized 60 constabulary troops and about 200 local volunteers near Pinamalayan into four companies into a Bolo Battalion – clashed with Beloncio’s guerrillas -- November 1942 SWPA MAJ Lawrence H Phillips arrived – December Ruffy and Beloncio asked him to mediate -- they agreed Ruffy would command the Mindoro provisional guerrillas with Beloncio as executive officer – Jurado arrives from 6th MD -- February 1944 Ruffy had 23 officers and 600 men with local governments established and volunteer Home Guard formations -- March 1944 Phillips killed by the Japanese -- orders Jurado to leave -- Beloncio and Ruffy fell out and the Bolo Battalion collapsed – Beloncio (supported by Peralta through Jurado) took the A, C, and D company to the 6th MD -- Ruffy took B Company to central Mindoro and built his force to 300 to 400 men. 

Sotelo Group: Alfonso Sotelo organized about 300 men but the first report of them was their surrender in September 1943.

Palawan:
6th MD took sent units to take control of Palawan guerrillas in October 1943.

Carlos Amores:  secretly organized 200 men into a guerrilla group to resist the Japanese takeover of the manganese mines in Busuanga-Coron in 1942 -- September the Japanese discovered the group – uprising with few arms killed all the Japanese at the mines and many more in the city -- sealed the mine with dynamite and destroyed stocks of ore before being driven into the hills -- Amores went to Danlig to ask to the Cobb Brothers for aid -- returned to Busuanga but Japanese attacks and lack of food forced Amored to leave with 100 men for Sibaltan in northern Palawan where he joined forces with the Cobb Brothers as commander of C Company, Palawan Special Battalion. 

Cobb Group: Alfred and Paul Cobb -- April-May 1942 organized a guerrilla Home Guards to restore law and order on Dumaran Island and northeast Palawan with headquarters in Danlig – September, Alfred Cobb contacts American airmen hiding on Cuyo Island, some go with Cobb to Palawan -- others went to Amores on Busanga -- assemble arms, boats, and supplies for attack on Puerto Princesa -- Alfred Cobb got Palawan Governor Gaudencio Abordo to head the free government at Caramay December 1943 -- about 150 armed men by the end of 1942 – merged with Mendoza.

Constabulary Groups: MAJ Guillermo Maramba (Provincial Inspector) refused to join any resistance group and was killed in an argument with one of the Cobb brothers in June 1943 -- CPT Pedro Manigque ran the 75 riflemen of the Palawan constabulary from mid 1942 to mid 1943 – resisted incorporation by the Cobbs -- 2LT Baldmero R. Garcia (cousin of LTC Garcia of Peralta’s 6th MD) hid until February 1943 then went to Caramay and joined Manigque as his executive officer -- Peralta appointed Manigque as commander in Palawan in May/June 1943 -- Garcia elected by his men as commander and charged Manigque with misuse of funds – July, Garcia promoted himself to 1LT in command of Palawan for 6th MD -- went to Panay -- Manigque led the Palawan guerrillas until Special Battalion organized in late 1943 with Garcia named as XO of that battalion -- Manigque refused to acknowledge Special Battalion, and was arrested in January 1944 and imprisoned until the end of the war. 

Mendoza-Cobb Group: ex-Governor Higinio Mendoza (CPT in the PA Medical Reserve) organized guerrillas in southern part of northern Palawan -- defeated by shortages in men and food -- January 1943 the Cobbs merged with Mendoza at Tinitian -- May 1944 Constabulary forced the Mendoza-Cobbs group to disband -- most of the Americans went to Cuyo -- early 1943 Mendoza became Commanding Officer of A Company, Palawan Special Battalion -- captured by the Japanese  (possible instigated by LT Garcia) -- Alfred Cobb evacuated to SWPA and his brother Paul was reported lost at sea in December 1943.

Palawan Special Battalion: October 1943 LT Garcia returned from Panay to Palawan in with MAJ Pablo Muyco of the G-3 section of the 6th MD -- got all local guerrilla leaders, except Manigque, to merge into the Palawan Special Battalion of the 6th MD with Muyco as CO and Garcia as XO -- organized four companies: A Company under CPT Higino Mendoza at Malcampo, B Company under 3LT Felipe Batul at Danlig, C Company under CPT Carlos Amores at Taytay, and D Company under CPT Narizidad Mayor at Brooke’s Point -- by early 1944, battalion had 57 officers and 954 men with about 300 arms -- covered Palawan and limited coverage of Balabac, Cuyo and Agutaya, Cagayancillo, Busuango, Culion and Coron. Dumaran Island -- at least two agents in every town.

Southern Palawan Group: Several groups developed around a number of Americans near Brooke’s Point -- August 1942 three US Navy sailors and three US Marines escaped from a prison camp and joined them -- October 1942 Japanese landing force driven off by the guerrillas -- one American leader killed by a renegade Filipino and the others dispersed to Tawi Tawi -- Vens T. Kerson kept the Brooke’s Point guerrillas together with the aid of constabulary SGT Tumbaga, American planter Thomas Edwards, and Datu D.M. Jolkipli Narrazid -- they built a local civil government and a Bolo Battalion -- Tumbaga, promoted to 3LT, succeeded Kerson in July 1943 – Kerson drowned in December 1943 -- LT Alegre assumed command. 


Samar Island (10 October 1944)
LTC Charles Smith appointed Commander of Samar area 4 October 1944
approximately 8,500 men – 2/3 with prewar training – but lacked trained officers. 

Abia Group: CPT Luciano Abia (former constabulary officer) – at time of surrender organized 100 guerrillas at Basey – later joined with Valley under Causing.

Arteche Group:  BG Pedro Arteche (former governor of Samar) -- in western Samar – absorbed groups under CPT Emilio Recote and CPT Canon – refused to cooperate with Merritt – surrendered to the Japanese at Daram and the group collapsed.

Causing Group: COL Juan Causing -- former Kangleon’s chief of staff – sent to Samar in September 1943 to unify guerrillas but only got Valley to ally with Kangleon 

Merritt Group: COL Pedro V. Merritt in the mountains in northwest Samar minus Japanese towns of Calbayog and Catbalogan – early 1944 became 93rd Division with 322 officers and 1,408 men in four regiments –– refused to work under Kangleon.

Pulahanes Group: 3,000 men, women and children under a woman named Bonang and old man named Cubalan around Gandara, San Jose de Buan, Matuginao, and Wright – received Japanese aid to fight Merritt and other guerrillas.

Sulci Group:  Sulci (former governor of Samar) organized insurgents in Borongan, Dolores, and Palalag – later absorbed by Valley and then Causing.

Valley Group: MAJ Manuel Vally -– organized 30 guerrillas in October 1942 in Guiuan, Salcedo, Balangiga, Basey and Pambujan Sur -- joined Kangleon – refused to join Merritt – by February 1944 group numbered 1,200 men.


Southern Islands:

Mindanao and Sulu (31 January 1945)
Fertig was named Commander of the 10th Military District (Mindanao and Sulu) and ordered to organize his forces and develop his intelligence net on Mindanao and Samar-Leyte.  Sulu was later separated and placed under COL A. Suarez.

Clyde Abbott and Pedro Collado: led guerrillas in September 1942 in a successful attack on a Japanese patrol in Balingasag attempting to establish a puppet government – formed the 110th Regiment with CPT Luz in command -- Collado was later imprisoned for conspiracy of mutiny.

Datu Aliman: with 600 men maintained the sector between Kidapawan, Cotabato, and Mount Apo, Davao Province.

CPT Pedro Andres in the Iligan area, were the principal leaders in the guerrilla movement in Lanao at this time.

LT Alarcon: went from Zamboanga to Basilan Island to organize resistance by remnants of the Philippine Constabulary into an effective guerrilla force -- March 1943, recruited LT Santillana unit as part of the Zamboanga City area command. Strong Japanese presence limited the Basilan guerrillas to the southern, eastern and interior portions of the island.

“Colonel” Tome Bitend: maintained a separate guerrilla unit on Tawi Tawi and  avoided Suarez -- seemed dedicated to profiteering in rice trade to North Borneo.

LTC Robert Bowler: at Bukidon at the time of the surrender and went into the hills until August 1942 -- gathered several guerrilla bands formed by other American officers -- second in command, his adjutant, was LTC CIriaco Mortera – joined Fertig in late 1943.

LTC Clyde Childress: was given command of the 107th Division in early 1944 from elements of the 110th Division in the area south of a line through the Agusan Province down through Lianga, Surigao, and Davao City. 

Datu Mantil Dilangalan: with his two brothers led 1,000 men (half armed) in the Midsayap-Dulawan-Pikit area.

Macario Diaz at Masgad, MAJ Garcia in central Surigao, and CPT Tomanning at Lianga behaved as bandits in Surigao.

CPT Joaquin Dismal: formed guerrillas to harass Japanese patrols from their small garrison in Misamis Occidental. 

LTC Wendell W. Fertig: American mining engineer in Mindanao to construct an airfield refused to surrender and took to the hills at Kolambugan, Lanao – September took over Morgan’s organization -- organized Morgan’s and Tate’s force as the 106th Regiment -- assumed command of all guerrillas in Mindanao with headquarters at Misamis – recruited scattered bands across Mindanao – organized administrative divisions based on prewar tables of organization for a Philippine Army Reserve Division -- October/November 1942, organized a civil government -- LTC Charles W. Hedges to Lanao Province -- McClish to Misamis Oriental in November with MAJ Clyde C. Childress as his chief of staff – LT Robert Ball remained at Fertig’s HQ and became district communication officer -- February 1943, Parsons brings supplies and communications from SWPA -- Quezon authorized Mindanao Currency Board to print emergency currency -- July 1943, the Japanese reoccupied Misamis Occidental and north Zamboanga and chased Fertig to Liangan, Lanao -- appointed LTC Robert Bowler (instead of Morgan) to succeed him if he was captured or killed - late 1943, Japanese pressure Fertig’s District Headquarters --  Fertig moved it to the Augsan Valley in January 1944 and set up a subcommand called “A” Corps under \ Bowler for communication and control -- replaced Bowler as commander of the 109th Division with LTC James Grinstead – sent his district communications officer, Ball to Luzon to develop contacts and intelligence there.

Manuel Fortich and Vincente Leuterio led weak guerrilla bands in southern Bukidon --  Fortich and Leuterio reached out to Pendatun in nearby Cotabato for help -- Pendatun arrived and led 2,400 men in driving the Japanese out of Kibawe, Maramag, Valencia and Mailag before the end of 1942. 

LTC Hipolito Garma: hid in the hills since the Japanese invasion until appointed as the Adjutant General of the 109th Division in Bukidnon in 1943 replaced Mortera as commander of the 105th Division in January 1944 -- Mortera reassigned to administrative duty as Adjutant General of A Corps.

CPT Sam Goode: led a semi-lawless band of guerrillas in the Tago area in June 1942 – early 1943, arrested and replaced by Joe McCarthy 

LTC James Grinstead: recruited by Fertig in February 1943 to organize guerrillas -- later appointed commander of the 109th Regiment and later still chief of staff of the 109th Division. 

LT Naguib Guandy: Chinese-Moro mestizo and prewar mayor of Malabang -- organized and led Moro resistance south of Malabang -- protected Christians along the Lanao coast and maintained good relations with the Japanese to protect his sources of supply. 

LT Abdulrahim Imao: a Moro from Jolo, sent by Morgan in November 1942 from Zamboanga with SGT Ursula Simpek to organize guerillas on Sulu -- arrived on Siasi in December and organized a unit with few arms -- attacked a small Japanese garrison on Christmas and captured 30 rifles and ammunition – survived aggressive Japanese counterattacks.

MAJ Manuel D. Jaldon:  organized the guerrilla bands around Alubijid, Misamis Oriental -- May 1943, reorganized the 121st Regiment – June, Fertig learned that Jaldon was persuaded by his brothers to meet with the Japanese in Zamboanga and sign a peace agreement -- Fertig suspended Jaldon and the regiment -- No supplies reached the unit until December when MAJ Felipe Fetalvero arrived to disbanded the regiment and form a new 1st Separate Battalion with former American enlisted man LT Donald Lecouvre in command. 

Khalil Khodr: Syrian mining engineer united guerrilla bands in Nasipit, Buenavista, Cabadbaran and the lower Agusan River in northern Agusan. 

CPT William Knortz: the 10th MD liaison officer -- organized the guerrillas in the 114th Regiment -- sent by Fertig to ‘consolidate or eliminate’ dissident guerrillas in Surigao under Diaz, Garcia and Tomanning -- September 1943, drowned while moving supplies.

Albert I.N. Kwok: led 300 Chinese guerrillas east of Jesselton in North Borneo --April 1943 contacted by Fertig’s agents -- LT Jose Valera of 10th MD raised money and arms on the Borneo coast -- Kwok persuaded Moro traders to take him to Suarez in May 1943 -- made another trip to Tawi Tawi in June bringing money and medical supplies for the guerrillas -- as a reward, Fertig commissioned him as a 3LT -- October 1943, attacked and drove Japanese out of Jesselton and held the town for 48 hours -- large Japanese counterattack dispersed the guerrillas into the hills -- Guerrilla Lim King Fatt was able to later reestablish contact with the 10th MD but 3LT Kwok was reportedly killed in January 1944.

LTC Claro B. Laureta: left as commander of constabulary Camp Victor at Davao after the surrender and went into the hills with about 30 of his men -- found 4,000 civilian refugees along the Lubugon River -- provide them law and order - organized farms that supported his guerrillas – by 1943, had become the sole authority of this new community with a headquarters at Maniki -- Laurenta became the acknowledged resistance leader in the vicinity of Davao -- absorbed the active guerrilla bands near Hijo and Kingking, at Saug, and Compostela -- early 1943, joined Fertig’s 110th Division -- reported to Misamis Oriental in July and accepted organization as the 130th Regiment of the 110th Division -- early 1944 stood up part of the 110th Division as a separate 107th Division.

MAJ Matas: led his 500 Christian ‘Matas Militia’ force from Midsayap to Lebak Matas -- known as “the God of Midsayap,’ had served 12 years in the U.S. Navy -- late 1944, the “Matas Militia” in Midsayap mutinied against Fertig and established the independent command “Mindanao AUSFIP Philippine Army, Cobatato Sector.

William MacLaughlin: appointed by Fertig as CPT and commander of the 112th Regiment based near Sumilao in August 1943.

MAJ Frank McCarthy Jr.: organized guerillas in the Malangas area of southern Mindanao in late 1942 -- spread to Kabasalan area -- collected latex from rubber plantations – until early 1943, commanded a detachment in Tandag – replaced Sam Good, as commander of the guerrillas in the Tago area -- by 1944, were incorporated under Fertig as the 115th Regiment commanded by MAJ Angel Medina -- May 1944, McCarthy was moved from his command of the 114th Regiment and sent to the new 107th Division as quartermaster. 

LTC Frank McGee: was in Bukidnon in May 1942 and fled to the mountains east of Malayba -- when Pendatun’s guerrillas came to the area in December, McGhee joined them -- appointed by Fertig to command the Cotabato-Bukindon guerrillas in new 106th Division. 

LTC Ernest McClish: organized guerrillas in Imbatug, Bukidnon in August 1942 -- expanded to Balingasag, Misamis Oriental over several months with fellow Americans LT Robert Ball, LT Anton Haratik, and CPT Wiliam Knortz -- January 1944, relieved as commander of the 110th Division and evacuated to Leyte for health issue -- CPT Marshall assumed command of the division on 21 January.

CPT Luis Morgan: Philippine Constabulary company commander at Kolambugan, Lanao -- organized his troops to defend the Christian civilians and fight the Moros around Baroy in the north plain of Lanao – gained reputation of ruthlessness, daring and lack of consideration for civilians -- September 1942, Morgan and Tate successfully liberated Misamis Occidental and the north coast of Zamboanga – tried to recruit Fertig as figurehead leader while Morgan would run field units as chief of staff -- January 1943, left with 80 men for Leyte and Negros to recruit guerrillas for Fertig --March led a failed attack on Butuan with LTC McClish and his guerrillas went to Leyete in April 1943 and tried to unite the 9th MD an (Leyte and Samar) under Kangleon – went to Siquijor and recruited guerrilla leader MAJ Benito Cunanan to command Cebu -- went to Negros and tried to recruit LTC Gador into line with the 7th MD -- met MAJ Villamor on Negros -- returned to Mindanao in June -- Japanese landed unopposed in Misamis in June -- Morgan responded by attacking Misamis to take arms from the guerrillas who had fled – angered when Fertig appointed LTC Bowler as successor to 10th MD command -- September 1943, Morgan quit the 10th MD and set up his own command in Misamis Occidental – Fertig sends him to Australia at the end of September.

LTC Ciriaco Mortera (PA): began with 8 officers and about 100 enlisted men who refused to surrender with the rest of the garrison, in Zamboanga-Misamis Occidental on 15 May 1942.  

MAJ Herbert Page: appointed by Fertig to command guerrillas south and southwest of Cotabato in new the 116th Regiment under --  assisted by American planter Fred Johnson, CPT Macario Guballa, and MAJ Matas. 

Salapida Pendatun: with his brother-in-law Datu Matalam Udtog organized a band of Moros into an untrained Bolo Battalion in the vicinity of Catabato before Corregidor fell -- armed with knives, the battalion set out to block the Digos-Kabacan Road but it quickly fell apart when it met the Japanese -- August 1942, Pandatun led attack on the Japanese garrison at Pikit, Cotabato – success attracted many Moros to join -- Pandatunn then attacked Kabacan and secured the Digos-Kabacan Road by September -- joined by Datu Aliman, Datu Mantil Dilanglan and Gumbay Piang -- December 1942, Pendatun reorganized his Moro guerrillas into the Bukidnon-Cotabato Force and appointed LTC Edwin C. Andrews as his Chief of Staff -- January 1943, attacked Malaybalay from the south without promised support from LTC Bowler and failed in costly siege -- established radio contact with Fertig and accepted an offer to join his 10th MD as the 117th Regiment with Pendatun as their COL -- friction arose as Pendatun resented Fertig’s presumptions -- Bukidnon assemblyman Manuel Fortich helped settle the friction but disagreement remained until Parsons arrived in May -- Fertig then sent Andrews to Negros to join Villamor –Pendatun formed the 118th Regiment with LTC Soriano, MAJ Gabutina, Datu Aliman and Datu Udtog -- regiment kept the Kigos-Kabacan Road closed to enemy traffic until early 1944.

Gumbay Piang: captured by the Japanese who released him to house arrest in Cotabatos to appease the Moros -- when the Japanese revealed they had evidence of his involvement with guerrillas, he fled to the jungle to join his men full time -- joined guerrillas in Cotabato -- joined the 10th MD with his men in September 1943 as the 119th Regiment.

LT Adolph Sternberg, Jr.: joined Fertig’s guerrillas in February 1944 after spending more than a year bedridden with a tropical skin disease with Laureta’s force along the Libuganon River in Davao Province -- Fertig sent him back to Davao as a liaison officer between the 130th Regiment and the 110th Division -- given 80 men to form a Special Intelligence Detachment near Matlivas, Davao.

COL Alejandro Suarez: arrived in Bato Batoin in January 1943 – integrated 1LT Trespeces’ 30 Sulu guerrillas with those on Tawi Tawi -- consolidated LT Imao’s units-- made contact with Fertig and became the 125th Regiment of the Mindanao Command in March-April 1943 with one battalion of 350 men in Tawi Tawi, another of 250 men on Siasi, and a third on Jolo of 200 men -- maintained his headquarters on the Malum River near Bato Bato -- June 1944, Japanese attacked the first battalion of the 125th Regiment on Tawi Tawi. 

CPT William Tate: an American-Moro mestizo from Momungan, joined the Japanese in June 1842 -- left to organize a guerrilla  group of mostly Moros -- went to Misamis Occidental to join Morgan – together subdued pushed the Japanese out of Misamis Occidental in September -- Tate returned to Momungan – reportedly retired from guerrilla activity in 1943 and may have died shortly after.

LTC Justin Teano: organized guerrillas in Zamboanga north coast in mid-1942 with small detachments in the barrios in the southern sector and a main body in the vicinity from Sindangan to the north -- late 1944, LTC Teano was apparently made Adjutant General of the 105th Division bringing contentiousness with high command that inhibited the effectiveness of the division.

1LT Alejandro Trespeces:  commanded Tawi Tawi Constabulary troops when Japanese attacked -- after the US surrender, low on food and supplies, moved his 30 remaining men to Bato Bato.

CPT Arolas Tulawie:  pro-American Moro family leader in the Luuk-Talipas Sector in western Jolo. 

LT Villarin: organized the 112th Provisional Battalion in the upper Augusan Valley and southern Surigao at Cateel and Lingig -- Fertig placed LT Anton Haratik in charge but the battalion remained largely inactive. 

LT Owen P. Wilson: reported to Fertig from Caraga, Davao in October 1943 -- assumed command of guerrilla battalion along the west coast of Davao Province in 1944 --  CPT Asis had formed the battalion in 1942 but was killed by his first sergeant, 1SG Javito Pedraya, that June for trying to surrender -- Pedraya held  command until Wilson arrived and became Executive Officer -- Wilson reorganize the guerrillas as the 111th Provisional Battalion of the 106th Division.

CAPT Vincente Zapanta: organized USFIP Navy

Note: Former USAFFE soldiers, Philippine Constabulary, Philippine Scouts, and civilians formed local guerrillas in barrios east of Misamis Oriental, north of Agusan and Surigao in the vicinity of Cayagan between Talakag and Sumilao. U.S. Army Air Corps MSGT James McIntyre at Claveria and MSGT Alfredo Fernandez at Malitbog refused to cooperate with each other. Most of the American eventually left their groups and found their way to Australia.  Late in 1942 LTC Bowler (AUS) began recruiting these bands for Fertig and organized them with others, supplying them with arms and equipment savaged from prewar stocks. 

 Compiled from data in General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, Military Intelligence Section, General Staff, “Guerrilla Resistance Movements in the Philippine,” 1-81, 31 March 1945, Box 255, RG 407, Philippines Archive Collection, National Archives II, College Park, Maryland.









Annex A: Guerrilla Leaders and Units




A-1