Hukbalahap

The Founding of the HUKBALAHAP * The socialist-communist orientation of the Central Luzon peasants led to a more militant peasant and labor movement. * Jose de Leon, Sr., millionaire hacendero of Pampanga has been murder. * December 8, 1941 war came to the Philippines. The retreat of the USAFFE to Bataan and the eventual collapse of Filipino-American arms was followed by a short period of confusion on the municipal level. * The realities of war imposed certain degree of discipline on the peasants, a necessity for a unified movement: (1) keep the morale the people at the highest level and (2) face the Japanese enemy. * February 1942 meeting of peasant leaders held at the barrio of Bakwit, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija was attended by: * Luis Taruc > F. Sampanga * Juan Feleo > Jose de Leon * Casto Alejandrino > Lino Dizon * Matelo del Castillo > Eusebio Aquino * Mariano Franco * “Anti-Japanese Above All” battlecry of the peasant underground. * Main Policy: To work for a free and democratic Philippines * Peasant leaders adopted a three-point platform: (1) economic; (2) political; and (3) military. * March 29, 1942 peasant leaders met at a clearing in the forest that joined the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija. * For one week, they discussed common problems, when the name for the vast organization came up for discussion, and they agreed to call it Hukbo Ng Bayan Laban Sa Hapon or HUKBALAHAP.

* A Military Committee was formed, with the following as members: * Taruc- Chairman * Casto Alejandrino * Banal (Bernardo Poblete) * Felipa Culala (Dayang-Dayang)

The Hukabalahap Sovereignty * The most powerful and disciplined in the country * The execution of Dayang-Dayabg (Felipa Culala) by her own men when it appeared that she was endangering the movement by her deviation from the rules of the organization. * The