Presidential Decree No. 1207 (PD 1207) — 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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
SEC. 5. Such provisions of existing laws, decrees, rules or
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of the Decree, are hereby modified
accordingly.
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
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
