Japanese

ERA

Death March
April 9, 1942 – The prisoners were disarmed and was told to march to Balanga
April 10-15, 1942
From Bataan to Camp O’ Donnell
76,000 POWS were captured

Japanese Occupation
Japanese military expansion in the Asia-Pacific region had made confrontation and war with the
United States increasingly certain.
In preparation for war, on July 26, 1941, General Douglas MacArthur brought the 12,000 strong
Philippine Scouts under his command with the 16,000 American soldiers stationed in the Philippines.
The attack on the Philippines started on December 8, 1941 ten hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor
in Hawaii. As at Pearl Harbor, the American aircraft were entirely destroyed on the ground. Lacking air
cover, the American Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines withdrew to Java on December 12, 1941.
Japanese troops landed at the Lingayen Gulf on December 22, 1941 and advanced across central
Luzon towards Manila. On the advice of President Quezon, General MacArthur declared Manila an
open city on December 25, 1941 and removed the Commonwealth government to Corregidor. The
Japanese occupied Manila on January 2, 1942.

Why did Japan

attack the Philippines?

The Japanese military had this concept of a United Asian Sphere (like the current European Union)
and to achieve this, ALL foreign occupiers must be expelled in Asia.
The Philippines was under American occupation. Japan saw this as an “unjust” occupation and they
needed to “liberate” the Philippines from these foreigners.
Japan had an ambitious plan to dominate and conquer the whole of East Asia.
To acquire staging areas and supply bases to enhance operations.
To secure communication lines from Japanese home island.

How did Japan invaded the Philippines?

Great strategic plan of the Japan.
Despite that nine hour warning of the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, the commander of the
United States army and air forces in the Philippines, Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur, was
paralyzed by indecision during these crucial hours and failed to bring his forces to a state of readiness
to meet a Japanese attack. MacArthur's indecision, combined with his poor military judgment and
slackness in his command structure, led to the destruction of half of his air force on the ground and
his troops being denied adequate supplies to withstand a lengthy siege.

Road to War
Japan withdrew from the League of Nations and provoked an undeclared war with China. It
massacred inhabitants of Nanjing, event also known as the “Rape of Nanking”
It allied itself to the Axis powers.
The United States imposed an embargo on oil and scrap metal exports to Japan.
Saburo Kurusu - a career diplomat, negotiated peace and understanding with the US while Japan
secretly planned attack on Pearl Harbor.

While preparing for independence under Tydings- McDuffie Act, the Philippine Army was re-
established because the Americans knew that Japan will invade soon.

Preparation for Independence and War

Training was saddled with lack of adequate equipment and ammunition.
Filipinos made their own head gears from coconut fibers called guinit. Belts were made from abaca
fiber instead of leather. Shoes were manufactured locally by Ang Tibay.
Due to growing differences between Quezon and MacArthur, MacArthur asked Pres. Roosevelt to
recall him to US service.
The Americans allowed false rumors about Japan to circulate the country to assure Filipinos that
everything is secure.

Attack
Air attacks took place at Baguio, Tarlac, and the naval and air installations at Subic, Zambales and
Clark, Pampanga. In the south, Davao received its first air raid on the same day.
The Japanese planned to move swiftly and win victories before the United States could respond with
force.
The Japanese landing at Lingayen brought Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma, commander of chief of the
Japanese forces in the Philippines.
Manila was attacked as early as December 9, 1941.

USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East)retreated to Bataan and waited for
reinforcements from the US
January 2, 1942 – The first Japanese contingent entered Manila and were cheered on as liberator. Lt.
Gen. Homma declared the end of American rule in the Philippines and imposed martial law on all
occupied areas.

Japan Martial Law

Japan claimed that it was creating Asia for Asians.
On January 3, 1942, General MASAHARU HOMMA issued a proclamation announcing the end of the
American occupation and the imposition of martial law in the country.

Japan Martial Law Orders

First Order: Surrender of firearms – Those who were still caught with weapons were detained at the
dungeons of Fort Santiago and in other detention posts.
Detention camps became places of torture.
Priests suspected of engaging in subversion activities were also imprisoned.
As early as January 14, 1942, Colonel Murosawa issued a Declaration to Christians in the Philippines.
By 1943, parish priests were being required to use their pulpits to convince the people that it was
useless to resist Japanese rule.
General Homma allowed the laws then enforce the Commonwealth to stay for the moment. He
ordered all public officials to continue to discharge their duties.
Curfew first from 8:00pm – 6:00am then from 12:00mn – 6:00am.

Total black out was lifted on May 4, 1942 after the fall of Bataan.
Arbitrary arrests and executions were done by the kempeitai(military police) any time of the day.
“Kura” most feared word (inward wave of hand meant “come here!” signified disaster and outward
wave of hand meant “dismiss” or “scram”).
Many were also executed on mere suspicion of being with the resistance movement.
No once could travel without a pass from its army. (This prohibition in travel was lifted after the fall of
Corregidor.
Taliba, La Vanguardia, Tribune, and Liwayway were allowed to continue publication but under rigid
censorship by the government.
Many theaters switched from movies to stage shows.

Life during the War Time Years

Philippines was an occupied country
Means of production were under the control of the Japanese
Few banks were allowed to operate
Buying and selling became the source of income by the Filipinos
Mickey Mouse Money was circulated that provoked inflation in such alarming situation

Food shortage was alarming

Outbreak of epidemics were prevalent such as dysentery, malaria and TB causing death of many
people.
People live in constant fear and apprehension
Five mortal enemies of Filipinos: Japanese militaries, diseases, guerillas, hunger and Japanese-paid
Filipinos
Japanese encouraged the development of Tagalog and gave it an impetus never before witnessed.

Reforming the Philippine Government

On December 2, 1942 – The KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas), a non-political
party, was established.
KALIBAPI’s aim was to bring about the rapid reconstruction of the Philippines and the rehabilitation of
the Filipino people.
June 18, 1943 – KALIBAPI members appointed a committee to nominate the members of the
Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence(PCPI).
When Laurel, Aquino and Vargas returned to Manila from Tokyo, the government announced two
days later the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines would be on October 14.
The Japanese worked for the enlistment of the Philippines into the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity
Sphere.

The Second Republic of the Philippines

June 19, 1943 – KALIBAPI, only political party that time, held a convention and “elected” 20 members
of Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence (PCPI, Please Cancel Philippine
Independence)as in-charge of framing a constitution for the forthcoming “Republic”

To elect 54 members of the National Assembly

President: Jose P. Laurel
Vice President: Benigno Aquino Sr.
Ramon Anancena

Inauguration – October 14, 1943

On the steps of the legislative building in Manila
Philippine flag was hoisted as the national anthem was played.
Meanwhile…
Japanese started using propaganda to gain the trust and confidence of Filipinos who refused to
cooperate with them.
Hung giant posters and distributed their materials that contain slogans such as “The Philippines
belong to the Filipinos.”
Also used newspapers, movies, and others to publicize the same idea.

Promoting Japanese propaganda was one of the main objectives of the KALIBAPI but still, Japanese
failed to gain the trust of the Filipinos.

The Puppet”Government
Although the Japanese had promised independence for the islands after occupation, they initially
organized a Council of State through which they directed civil affairs until October 1943, when they
declared the Philippines an independent republic.
The only political party allowed during the occupation was the Japanese-organized KALIBAPI.
During the occupation, most Filipinos remained loyal to the United States,  and war crimes committed
by forces of the Empire of Japan against surrendered Allied forces and civilians were documented.

On the same day, the Philippine Executive Commission was established by the Japanese High
Command, composed of Mr. Vargas as Chairman with other 6 Filipino department secretaries,
namely:

Benigno S. Aquino (Commissioner of the Interior)

Antonio de las Alas (Finance)
Jose P. Laurel (Justice)
Rafael Alunan (Agriculture and Commerce)
Claro M. Recto (Education, Health and Public Welfare)
QuintinParedes (Public Works and Communication)

The Philippine Executive Commission

Established on January 23, 1942
Chairperson: Jorge Vargas
Department Heads
Interior: Benigno Aquino Sr.
Finance: Antonio delas Alas
Justice: Jose P. Laurel
Education, Health & Public Welfare: Claro M. Recto
Public Works & Communication: Quintin Paredes
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Jose Yulo
The New Constitution
Noticeably lacked a bill of rights

Contained 12 articles lifted from the 1935 constitution that fitted the wishes of the Japanese.

Was meant to be in effect only temporarily, while the Philippines still in chaos.

September 4, 1943: Constitution was brought to the public

September 7, 1943: Ratification of the Japanese-sponsored Constitution (Preamble and twelve
articles) 
October 14, 1943: the inauguration of the Second Philippine republic, however, this “Puppet
Republic” was not taken seriously by the people as well as the international community. (Laurel and
the rest of Filipino leaders served as puppet of the Japanese authorities’ for real executive and
legislative powers lay on the hands of the Japanese military leaders.)

EDUCATION
Banned the singing of America songs
Deleted American symbols ,poems and pictures
Niponggo as means of introducing and cultivating love for Japanese culture

President Laurel created the National Education Board to study curriculum changes and to develop a
more suitable education program for the country

The board advocated enhancement of the Filipino identity by giving emphasis to the study of national
language and history. It is also recommended the teaching of Asian history and culture.

Required that majority of the governing board of any school be Filipino citizen
Required teachers to obtain licences

Encouraged propagation of Tagalog as national language

President Laurel saw schools as complementary to the and church in shaping morals and character

The government also sent selected young men to Japan as pensionados to study at Japanese schools.

Members of the Japanese constabulary taught them Japanese methods of discipline.

Simultaneous with the restructuring of the educational system, control over media and culture
was also emphasized by the Hodobu.

Movies, stage shows, radio programs, and even letters at the post office were checked.
MEDIA

It was used to spread more Filipino propaganda line. Posters and leaflets called for support of the
republic

New periodicals such as Filipina, a monthly magazine, were also read not only in Manila but also in
the provinces.
On the anniversary of Japanese-sponsored republic, a new newspaper was born ( The Republic)

New stamps were also printed for the republic, showing the government’s national orientation.

Problems of the Republic

During his term in office, Laurel was faced with various problems that the country was experiencing,
such as the following:
Shortages of food, clothing, oil, and other necessities.
Heavy Japanese military presence throughout the entire region.
Japanese control of transportation, media, and communications.

Resistance and Restoration

What strongly nullified the Japanese policy of attraction was the series of atrocities ranging from
confiscation of personal goods to wanton killing of people.
There was the imposition of severe penalties for slight violations of the law.

The war years witnessed the mass contact of Filipinos and japanese, characterized by mutual
suspicion. The Filipinos could not simply trust the motives of the Japanese in promoting the Natural
Culture.

Thoughts in having recognition and a challenging experienced did help in encouraging more
volunteers for the army.
Others joined the struggle for freedom because it seemed to be natural thing to do. Classes had been
suspended for a quite time.

Others felt that it was glorious to fight for the country’s freedom. They had realized that it was their
duty to their fellow Filipinos to defend the country from foreign aggression.
Guerrilla fighters all over the country kept their faith in democracy. Many waited for the return of the
Americans.

The United States Army Forces in the Philippines (USAFIP), North Luzon was one of the earliest
guerrilla units to be organized after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor.
With their Captains; Guillermo Nacar and Manuel P. Enriquez.
This was recognized as the first Guerrilla Regiment by USAFE headquarters.

Resistance
Japanese occupation of the Philippines was opposed by active and successful underground and
guerrilla activity that increased over the years and that eventually covered a large portion of the
country.
The Philippine guerrilla movement continued to grow, in spite of Japanese campaigns against them.
The island of Mindanao, being farthest from the center of Japanese occupation, had 38,000 guerrillas
who were eventually consolidated under the command of American civil engineer Colonel Wendell
Fertig.

USAFFE forces in Bataan continued to oppose the Japanese. They withstood the attacks of the enemy.
delayed Gen. Homma’s timetable. The expected capture of the Philippines in 60 days lasted for 3
months. There was also resistance in Panay and Mindanao.
March 1942 - Quezon and his family were evacuated from Corregidor to Australia. -He left Chief
Justice Jose Abad Santos as acting President in case he and VPres. Osmeña were killed or captured by
the Japanese. Quezon was later brought to the US where he set up a government in exile in
Washington.
DANAS – District And Neighborhood Associations. Organized by Chairman Vargas on August 8, 1942.
provides means of self-protection to the local residents.

Walter Crushing, An American mine operator in the Mountain Province, led the first ambush against
the Japanese. Cushing organized some 200 Filipino Guerrillas shortly after the enemy invasion.
Unfortunately, on September 19, 1942, Cushing and two of his men were killed instantaneously by
Japanese soldiers at Jones, Isabela while on a mission to contact a large guerilla outfit.

Major Russell Volckman (a west point graduate) organized their own guerrilla units.
Other Prominent Guerrilla leaders were: Gov. Roque Ablan of Ilocos and Bado Dangwa in Baguio.
Volckman also established a communication and intelligence network which reported the movements
of the enemy.

Marcos Agustin, a bus driver before the war, formed a guerrilla unit centered in Antipilo. This
eventually became one of the largest in Luzon owing to its memebership from different sectors.
Hunters ROTC ( Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) headed by 2 young cadets of the Philipine Military
Academy) Eleuterio Adevoso and Miguel Ver.

Captain Alejo S. Santos, “C” Comoany 31st Infantry of the USAFE, whom ezcaped the death march
from bataan at Betis, Pampanga, organized the Philippine Legion at his hometown Bustos.
The Legion was initially envisioned as a force of small combat units with primary mission of destroying
enemy intelligence groups. It aims to gather information on military installations as well as political
and economic activities sponsored by Japanese government. This group were also designed to
eliminate Filipino Traitors.

In August 1943, Capt. Bernard L. Anderson, a US Airforce officer took command of the USAFFE Luzon
Guerrilla Army Forces and appointed Captain Santos as his personal representative in the Area.
October 12, 1943, Captain Anderson issued a directive confirming Captain Santos’ command over the
Bulacan Military Area (BMA)

BMA regrouped in 10 regiments:

Valenzuela Regiment ( Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Polo and Obando)
Republic Regiment( Malolos and Paoombong)
Del Pilar (Hagonoy and Calumpit); Kakarong Regiment ( Olaridel, Guiguinto nad Bigaa); M. Ponce
Regiment ( Baliuag, Pulilan and Bustos); Buenavista Regiment ( San Ildefonso and San Rafael);
Natividad regiment( Northern San Miguel); Biak na bato Regiment ( Southern San Miguel) and Batute
Regiment ( San Jose and Sta. Maria)

In august 1944, the submarine Nawarhal landed arms and ammunition, signal equipment and other
supplies at the Kalayaan Headquarters of major Anderson in Infanta, tayabas. Salanga point, just off
the mountain of Masanga River became the surface point of Nawarhal submarine. Some officers and
men of the BMA, together with some loyal Dumagats of the mountains journeyed across the Sierra
madre Mountains to bring the military supplies to Bulacan.

Airstrips were also constructed by the BMA for the emergency lading of American airmen like ones
found at akle in San Ildefonso, at Atlag, Malolos and Bustos.
This airstrips did facilitate the transport of supplies and men from the army posts in Lingayen and
Dagupan to Bulacan guerilla headquarters and vice versa.

November 16, 1944, three men from Admiral William Halsey’s Third fleet belonging to the Carrier USS
Essex were rescued by the Republic Regiment (Halsey’s Fleet had undertaken air strikes in the Visayas
prior to Gen. mcArthur’s anding in Leyte. )

January 4, 1945, at camp Jerusalem, the first air drops in Luzon were done by giants B-25s of the US
Air Force.
In southern Luzon, the PQOG (Pres. Quezon’s Own Guerillas) engaged in guerilla warfare against
Japanese in Cavite, Laguna, Batnagas, And Quezon Province.

One resistance group in the Central Luzon area was known as the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban
sa Hapon), or the People's Anti-Japanese Army, organized in early 1942 under the leadership of Luis
Taruc, a communist party member since 1939.

The Huks”
Agreed to fight the Japanese as a unified guerilla army.
Farmers of Pampanga banded together and created local brigades for their protection.
Luis Taruc
Juan Feleo
Castro Alejandrino
They agreed to call their organization Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon or HUKBALAHAP.
Luis Taruc was the leader
Alejandrino was the right hand
Members were simply called the “Huks”

The Ganaps- former pro- Japanese

Sakdalistas who served as spies for the Japanese military aithorities.
The Pulhanes- (fromSamar,”pula” means red) acted as guides for the japanese in their efforts arrest
people who supported the guerilla cause.

The Palaaks- armed with bamboo spears, worked asa guards for the Japanese army while the United
Nippon (U N) armed rifles,wore army unifroms as part of the Japanese Military. The members were
recruited from the Ganap party.
The Pampars- (Pambansang Pag-asa ng mga anak ni rizal) were also armed with rifles. They wore blue
denim uniforms with short pants

The Makapili- the most dreadful one (Makabayan;Katipunan ng mga Pilipino) was headed by gen.
Artemio Ricarte, Benigno Ramos and Pio Duran.

Escalated guerrilla operations pressed the Japanese army to offer amnesty. Such offer was given
throughout the land but eventually no guerrilla fighter accepted such dubious proposal. The Japanese
continued their propaganda to secure the cooperation of the people in various ways like sponsorship
of the Japanese Youth Leadership Program.