When Hukbalahap was formally established on March 29, 1942, it was divided into different commands. The third regional command, headed by Eusebio Aquino, known as Commander Bio, was divided into two regiments: the General Antonio Luna Regiment and the General Makabulos Regiment. The Luna Regiment was headed by Pablo Aquino, known as Commander Paul, and the son of Commander Bio. Another son, Aquilino, known as Commander Kinung, was the political supervisor of the General Makabulos Regiment. Commander Bio sheltered several American servicemen who escaped from the infamous Death March, notably Capt. Russell Volckmann and his friend Capt. Donald Blackburn. Volckmann earlier defended the San Antonio, Magalang defense lines against the invading Japanese on December 30-31, 1941, and, due to his valiant leadership, he was later recognized and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Volckmann and Blackburn later escaped to Northern Luzon, where they established the United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon, which became the largest guerrilla force in Northern Luzon. Other notable Magaleños who headed some units in Aquino’s third regional command were Eladio Layug, who led Squadron 3, Villamor Battalion, and Dionicio Reyes, who headed the 2nd Squad, Squadron 33. Interestingly, other members of the third regional command came from prominent families, notably Pedro Villareas Gueco, who headed the Stock Section of the Provision Division under Remedios Gomez, known as Commander Liwayway. Some squadrons were already in place before the Hukbalahap was established. One of these units is Squadron 3, which was established on January 14, 1942, in the foothills of Mt. Arayat. With only eight firearms, it was formed jointly by Commander Bio and other prominent politicians and socialist leaders, including the socialist Mayor Vivencio Cuyugan of San Fernando, whose mother, Antonia, belonged to the prominent Baron family of Magalang. Atty. Jose Morales, former municipal president of Magalang, Atty. Adriano Balagtas, Felix Manabat, Benito Tapang, Arcadio Morales, and others. This squadron fought the fiercest battles against the Japanese, notably in Kamansi, where the Japanese attempted to capture their headquarters. With the leadership of Commander Liwayway, they managed to repel the attack, and they killed more than 400 Japanese soldiers. Other units were also carved out from Squadron 3, notably Squadrons 44, 45, and 49. Squadron 49 was established in Angeles by Elpidio Gantan, Domingo Pineda, Faustino del Mundo, Felemon Pamintuan, and others. Faustino del Mundo, later known as Commander Sumulong or Matua, gained notoriety when he revitalized the Huk or HMB in the 1960s, which led to gaining greater influence in Pampanga, where the so-called “invisible government” existed, particularly in Angeles and nearby towns. Del Mundo’s daughter, Remedios, was also married to Felix Aquino, known as Commander Flax, and the son of Commander Bio. Aside from the Huks, Chinese guerrillas, particularly the Wa Chi, established their base in Mt. Arayat and reconstituted themselves as Squadron 48. The Wa Chi and Hukbalahap forged a partnership and jointly participated in various attacks against the Japanese. One of their engagements is their attack on the Japanese garrison in Baliti, Arayat. On the early morning of September 6, 1944, around 20 Hukbalahap squadrons and 250 Wa Chi fighters attacked the Japanese garrison in Baliti. The attack lasted until five in the afternoon, and they successfully captured, taking all of their arms and ammunition. The joint attack killed more than 300 Japanese and Constabulary men. The joint force suffered 65 casualties, and more than 27 were wounded. The enemy casualties were eventually dumped in a common grave in the town cemetery in Magalang. After the attack in Baliti, several squadrons were later formed, notably Squadrons 50, 56, 60, and 69. When the Americans had landed in Luzon, several towns had already been freed from Japanese control. Hukbalahap already secured the outskirts of Magalang on January 21, 1945. However, pockets of resistance persisted until the Japanese encircled the town proper. A combined force of Hukbalahap and the Wa Chi attacked the town proper, and they inflicted heavy losses on the enemy side. More than 40 Japanese were killed, including a captain. Magalang was completely liberated on January 27, 1945, when the Americans captured the remaining Japanese defenses in barrio San Jose.
Photo Credits:
Mayor Vivencio Cuyugan, Cuyugan Family.
Eusebio Aquino, Daniel H. Dizon.
Atty. Jose Morales, Ruben L. Morales.
Mt. Arayat, US National Archives and Records Administration.
Source:
Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. (2016) The Magalang Book The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Manila.
118-1 Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) [2 Folders], Guerrilla Unit Recognition Files, US National Archives and Records Administration.
105, Phil Chinese Anti-Japanese Vol Corps
(Wa-Chi Unit), Guerrilla Unit Recognition Files, US National Archives and
Records Administration.
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