RECOGNIZING THE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE HUKBALAHAP UNDER LUIS M. TARUC WHO FOUGHT THE JAPANESE IN WORLD WAR II AS ELEMENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND FORCES IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING WORLD WAR II, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 1207
• Sections: 7

Preamble

WHEREAS, in March 1942, when the fall of Bataan became

imminent, a group of Filipino peasants and workers led by Luis M. Taruc banded

together in a barrio in Central Luzon to organize a resistance movement,

otherwise known as the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) directed

against the Japanese Imperial Army during the occupation of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the active participation of these guerilla fighters

must be recognized by the government of the Philippines;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby

order and decree:

Section 1

SECTION 1. The former members of the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa

Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) who actually fought the Japanese at any time during the

period from 1941 to 1915 under Luis M. Taruc are hereby recognized officially as

elements of the underground forces of the Commonwealth Government of the

Philippines during World War II.

Section 2

SEC. 2. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office shall make a

listing of these members of the HUKBALAHAP who fought the Japanese during World

War II, in

coordination with the existing agencies concerned.

Section 3

SEC. 3. The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office shall process

the said claim in coordination with the existing agencies concerned. It shall

establish such rules and

regulations necessary to establish the service

record of these members, in coordination with the organizers, staff, or

commanders of the HUKBALAHAP under Luis M. Taruc.

Section 4

SEC. 4. Agencies implementing the pertinent laws on veterans

benefits are hereby enjoined to receive, process, adjudicate and grant, if

warranted, the claims of HUKBALAHAP members or their dependents for

hospitalization and scholarship, notwithstanding any previous deadlines

established to the contrary.

Section 5

SEC. 5. Such provisions of existing laws, decrees, rules or

regulations inconsistent with the provisions of the Decree, are hereby modified

accordingly.

Section 6

SEC. 6. This decree shall take effect upon approval.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of October, in the year of our Lord,

nineteen hundred and seventy-seven.

(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the

Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) JACOBO C. CLAVE

Presidential Executive

Assistant