The Brotherhood

My grandfather has been part of the USAFFE-Guerilla Movement in Central Luzon, this group became stronger and firm as there were also civilians volunteered that made the brotherhood larger in number. They used to loot ammunition and weapons from the Japs by using traps and an ambush tactic and they had to use this strategy to fight back the stronger enemy who will never surrender. They used to hunt and eat wild animals from the jungle-like chicken or native pig. Their shelter could be anywhere. When night falls they used to rest under the tree or even lying on bushes. My grandfather began joining the battle after a week when he was released from the Prison Camp, at the same time when he gathered enough strength. A Rifle was handed to him then he said to the Commander that he was a Corporal belongs to the USAFFE 21st Division and that he was a holder of a Browning Machine Gun. In the last week of November, the USAFFE-Guerilla group meeting began and after a few days, the plan was now crystal clear. At this time, they had to focus on the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. They had to get rid of the enemies from villages that oppressing innocents. The liberation of villages from the Japs was one of the missions of USAFFE-Guerilla forces. From the 1st week of December, they already began to attack the Japanese oppressors. Even out-numbered and had lesser weapons compared with the enemies, they still had the courage to fight. With his new comrades, my grandfather Teddy uses an Arisaka Japanese Rifle and a .38 caliber World War I Smith and Wesson Pistol every time they attack Japanese controlled villages. They also use a sneak attack like piercing the enemies from bushes, throwing Japanese officer's shelter made of bamboo a grenade, and even firing of rifle from the tree. When in a place surrounded by trees and bushes, they use an ambush strategy which was a square-like formation. This strategy was effective when there was a group of Japanese troops marching outside the villages and they use this tactic during the evening. When they moved forward to the province of Nueva Ecija, my grandfather Teddy met a Guerilla Commander in the town of Guimba, he was Commander Vicente Rigdao. On my Father's side, this middle-aged man was my great grandfather. He took the Command in Guimba and his plan was to attack the Japanese camp in his town. Postwar studies estimate that around 260,000 persons were organized under guerrilla groups and that members of anti-Japanese underground organizations were more numerous. Such was their effectiveness that by the end of World War II, Japan controlled only twelve of the forty-eight provinces. Select units of the resistance would go on to be reorganized and equipped as units of the Philippine Army and Constabulary. The United States Government officially granted payments and benefits to various ethnicities who have fought with the Allies by the war's end. However, only the Filipinos were excluded from such benefits, and since then these veterans have made efforts to finally being acknowledged by the United States. Some 277 separate guerrilla units made up of 260,715 individuals were officially recognized as having fought in the resistance movement. After Bataan and Corregidor, many who escaped the Japanese reorganized in the mountains as guerrillas still loyal to the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). One example would be the unit of Ramon Magsaysay in Zambales, which first served as a supply and intelligence unit. After the surrender in May 1942, Magsaysay and his unit formed a guerrilla force that grew to a 10,000-man force by the end of the war. Another was the Hunters ROTC which operated in the Southern Luzon area, mainly near Manila. It was created upon the dissolution of the Philippine Military Academy in the beginning days of the war. Cadet Terry Adivoso refused to simply go home as cadets were ordered to do, and began recruiting fighters willing to undertake guerrilla action against the Japanese. This force would later be instrumental, providing intelligence to the liberating forces led by General Douglas MacArthur, and took an active role in numerous battles, such as the Raid at Los Baños. When war broke out in the Philippines, some 300 Philippine Military Academy and ROTC cadets, unable to join the USAFFE units because of their youth, banded together in a common desire to contribute to the war effort throughout the Bataan campaign. The Hunters originally conducted operations with another guerrilla group called Marking's Guerrillas, with whom they went about liquidating Japanese spies. Led by Miguel Ver, a PMA cadet, the Hunters raided the enemy-occupied Union College in Manila and seized 130 Enfield rifles.

Another Filipino opposing group was "Hukbalahap". As originally constituted in March 1942, the Hukbalahap was to be part of a broad united front resistance to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. This original intent is reflected in its name: "Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Mga Hapon", which was "People's Army Against the Japanese" when translated into English. The adopted slogan was "Anti-Japanese Above All". The Huk Military Committee was at the apex of Huk's structure and was charged to direct the guerrilla campaign and to lead the revolution that would seize power after the war. Luis Taruc; a communist leader and peasant-organizer from a barrio in Pampanga; was elected as head of the committee, and became the first Huk commander called "El Supremo". Casto Alejandrino became his second-in-command. The Huks began their anti-Japanese campaign as five 100-man units. They obtained needed arms and ammunition from Philippine army stragglers, which were escapees from the Battle of Bataan and deserters from the Philippine Constabulary, in exchange for civilian clothes. The Huk recruitment campaign progressed more slowly than Taruc had expected, due to competition with U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) guerrilla units in enlisting new soldiers. The U.S. units already had recognition among the islands, had trained military leaders, and an organized command and logistical system. Despite being restrained by the American sponsored guerrilla units, the Huks nevertheless took to the battlefield with only 500 men and much fewer weapons. Several setbacks at the hands of the Japanese and with less than enthusiastic support from USAFFE units did not hinder the Huk's growth in size and efficiency throughout the war, developing into a well trained, highly organized force with some 15,000 armed fighters by war's end. The Huks attacked both the Japanese and other non-Huk guerrillas. From December 1942 up to the last quarter of 1943, the USAFFE-Guerilla faction of my grandfather Teddy prevailed in numerous battles in the war with the Japanese. Their battle engagements occurred frequently in the jungles and isolated areas throughout Central Luzon. My grandfather continued the battle with his USAFFE-Guerilla comrades until August 1944 and he had only minor injuries like wounds and graze. His physical figure was totally distorted, you would never recognize him with his pale skin, dark thin body, long messy hair, and beard, a 25-year-young man became matured physically. When the Japanese government was established in the Philippines in 1943, the opposing groups of Guerilla and Hukbalahap has been scattered throughout the country. They used to recruit civilians at the age of 17 years old and above, these young recruits proved that Filipinos are fearless warriors. The Japanese Philippine invasion challenged young men to fight until the last breath and wave his country's flag which is a sign of sweet victory. My grandfather Teddy made his decision to go home on the 3rd week of August 1944, when severe malaria attacked for the second time. He realized that he could no longer oppose the enemy in his illness and malnourished condition. A week before his departure from the last village they have defended, even he was suffering from malaria, he forcibly wrote a letter to his family in Lubao, Pampanga. In this letter, he stated that he was alive and continued the battle with the Japanese after he was paroled in Camp O'Donnell, and on the following week, he would come home. He mentioned the exact day of his arrival and the places where he resides for almost two years. He handed the letter to a lady which was also a part of the resistance as she has relatives to visit in Lubao, Pampanga and this woman would deliver the letter to his family. After a few days, the letter then handed to my grandmother and the woman courier told both my great-grandmother Maria and my grandmother Antonia about the campaign of the faction of my grandfather Teddy which continued resisting from 1942 and their current location. They cried upon reading the letter together but at the same time, they were glad to know that my grandfather Teddy was still alive.

On the following day, my grandfather Rafael the cousin of my grandfather Teddy visited his Auntie Maria. My great grandmother told his nephew Rafael that my grandfather Teddy was alive, she then handed the letter to her nephew. After reading the letter, my grandfather Rafael asked his Auntie about the location of my grandfather. My great grandmother Maria answered while crying, "The lady courier said they currently reside in a village in San Carlos, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. You won't recognize him now, she told me that my son Teddy is very thin and he is suffering from malaria." My grandfather Rafael replied, "I am familiar with that place, I'll go there and take him back here." My great grandmother responded, "It's too dangerous my nephew, the Japanese are scattered throughout the country." He replied, "This is for Teddy, I'll go for it." The Pampanga river is only a few steps from San Carlos, and the plan of my grandfather Rafael to secure their way home was to ride a boat through the river towards Arayat, Pampanga as my grandfather Teddy might be recognized by the Japanese as a USAFFE Soldier. On the following week, the 20th of August the day of my grandfather's arrival, by bus, my grandfather Rafael arrived in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija a town nearby Arayat, Pampanga. He took the ride by dawn and saw numerous Japs on his way from Lubao to Nueva Ecija. After a short journey, he finally arrived in the town of Cabiao and had to ask somebody to locate the isolated village in San Carlos and he took different rides before he reached the barrio. When he reached the village, a USAFFE Soldier who was also a member of the resistance asked my grandfather Rafael about his purpose for visiting. He then answered, he came across his cousin Teddy and he will take him back to Lubao, Pampanga due to his illness. Suddenly, my grandfather Teddy went out of the house made of bamboo, he was shocked upon seeing his cousin as he doesn't really expect anyone to rescue him. Then he shouted, "Paeng!". My grandfather Rafael hurriedly walked towards him even he won't recognize my grandfather Teddy. He then embraced my grandfather and cried. He showed him a great feeling of pity and uttered repeatedly the words "What happened, Teddy?", while crying. My grandfather Teddy just replied with a very silent voice, "I'm alright." My grandfather Rafael saw an old and filthy towel hanging underneath the roof of the bamboo house then he covered my grandfather with it from head to belly as he was chilling because of his high fever caused by malaria. After saying his words of farewell to his comrades, my grandfather Teddy and his cousin Rafael started to walk away from the barracks. The USAFFE and guerilla commander warned them to hide if they see Japanese along their way. My grandfather brought his Pistol to secure themselves from the enemy for the possible captivation. They took their pace together towards the main road even my grandfather was chilling and could not sprint, he was just depending on his steps on his cousin as it is hard to move his legs due to severe illness. They successfully secured their way until they reached the rough main road towards the river. They eventually saw a man riding a carabao cart with a haystack, then my grandfather Rafael called the man to talk to. My grandfather Rafael said, " My friend we're from Lubao, Pampanga and I called you to ask for your help. Along our way down to the river, there could be Japanese guards. To secure my cousin, I wish you could help us by riding in your cart and hide my cousin beneath the haystack." The man could not utter any words but hurriedly moved down from the carabao and prepared the cart to bury my grandfather with the haystack.

The stranger and my grandfather Rafael then laid my grandfather Teddy down inside the cart and buried him with a thick haystack. They took the ride then suddenly a Japanese guard stood in front of the carabao cart to stop them from moving. There were also Japanese guards on both sides and they could not understand what they were trying to say. Suddenly, the Japanese on the front ordered another guard to inspect what was possibly inside the cart aside from the haystack. My grandfather Rafael could not speak at that moment, all he could feel was nervous, and had to close his eyes while the guard was inspecting the cart. The Japanese then pierced his bayonet on different sides of the haystack, but he could not sense anything suspicious on the cart as my grandfather Teddy was deeply buried on the haystack. Eventually, the Japs moved backward and let the cart moved forward, they really thought my grandfather Teddy would be captured and arrested by the Japanese guards at that moment. When the cart was already far away from the Japs, my grandfather Rafael told his cousin, "Teddy? Teddy? Do you hear me? we're safe now." My grandfather Teddy heard what he uttered but he didn't respond due to the difficulty of being buried on the haystack. After almost an hour of their journey down to the river, they finally reached their destination. They dodged the haystack then aided my grandfather Teddy to get up. My grandfather Rafael handed the stranger a coin that has a bigger value at the time as a sign of gratitude. Along the river, there was a man sitting on a boat. While putting his arm around the back of my grandfather to aid him on his steps, his cousin Rafael then talked to the man on the boat. "My friend, we're from Lubao, Pampanga. Through this river I know we could reach Arayat, Pampanga, I would like to ask for your help." He talked to the man for a while and the man explained that it was a long journey to reach the town of Arayat from San Carlos. My grandfather Rafael said, "Please help us, my cousin Teddy is suffering from malaria. If you're going to help us, we could save his life. Then he offered him a large amount of money just to help them reach the town by boat. The man then accepted his offer and they laid my grandfather down on the boat. While lying on the boat, my grandfather Teddy continued chilling and coughing. His cousin Rafael just kept on telling him that everything will be alright and they will reach their destination for just a short while but it took a long journey for them to reach the town of Arayat. "When we arrived in Lubao, your Mother and Aunt Dorothea will take care of you. They know how to cure your illness that's why there's nothing to worry about, hold on Teddy." They finally arrived in the town of Arayat by late in the afternoon but there was another obstacle to reach their hometown in Lubao. There were Japanese troops throughout the town, on the road and some were scattered on the mountain. Upon moving out from the boat, a young man informed the cousins that there were Japanese on the town disguising USAFFE-Guerilla and there were also dozens of Makapili, a militant group that gives military aid to the Imperial Japanese Army. The young man said, they must be careful on their way. My grandfather Teddy suggests that they could take a ride by Kalesa a horse-drawn calash that served as a vehicle during the time. By riding a Kalesa, it will take another long journey for them to reach their hometown in Lubao and there's no other transportation vehicle available. If they ride by bus, on the terminal the Japanese might recognize my grandfather Teddy. They eventually called the middle-aged man nearby, sitting on his Kalesa. The man then moved towards them and my grandfather Rafael talked to him and asked the transportation fare if they ride by his Kalesa from Arayat to Lubao. The man then took a look at my grandfather Teddy and he just felt pity for him in his condition. My grandfather Rafael said, the time is running out and they must move shortly before the Japanese guards would become suspicious of their sneak action. He also offered the man a large amount of money just to help them on their way home. After a while, the man and his cousin then aided my grandfather to enter the Kalesa. Even there were Japanese along their way, the ride was still on like there's no obstacle to get rid of. So far, so good, they took a straight and safe journey to Lubao for two and a half hours. My grandfather Rafael paid the man with a very large amount of fare at the same time, this payment was also served as gratitude. Upon arriving in Sto. Tomas, Lubao, in front of their aunt's house, helped my grandfather Teddy to walk towards his home. My grandfather Rafael knocked on the door and called his aunt Maria while holding my grandfather Teddy on his side. Their cousin Stefania opened the door and was shocked upon seeing his cousin. She doesn't recognize my grandfather at first because of his thin body, long beard, mustache, and hair. My grandmother Stefania then called her aunt upstairs and my grandmother Antonia. My great grandmother could not utter any words, she just cried and embraced her son. My grandfather just said, "I have no regrets."