Historical Analysis Series

THE HUKBALAHAP INSURRECTION

A Case Study of a Successful
Anti-Insurgency Operation
in the Philippines, 1946-1955

by

Major Lawrence M. Greenberg

Analysis Branch
U.S. Army Center of Military History
Washington, D.C., 1987

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 86-600597

CMH Pub 93-8--First Printed 1986

FOREWORD

This seventh publication in the Historical Analysis Series addresses the American role in the Philippine Hukbalahap Insurrection. Brought to the verge of collapse by a wide-spread Communist-inspired insurgency, the government of the Philippines, supported by limited U.S. aid, advice, and assistance, virtually eliminated Huk resistance by 1955. This study examines this remarkable achievement and demonstrates how efforts of uniquely qualified individuals, combined with American foreign policy initiatives and international events, prevented the collapse of an important allied nation.

Published originally in the Research and Analysis Division's Special Studies Series, The Hukbalahap Insurrection has received wide acclaim and sufficient attention to warrant wider distribution. Reprinted in its entirety, it provides contemporary planners with insights and observations that remain as valid today as when American and Filipino officials combined their efforts to defeat the well-organized Huk insurgency.

Washington, D.C.
July 1987

WILLIAM A. STOFFT
Brigadier General, U.S. Army
Chief of Military

iii

PREFACE

An important role for the Center of Military History's Analysis Branch is to provide historical perspective on matters of interest to senior Army decision makers. This entails not only those issues of current concern but also those of potential interest, requiring the branch to anticipate as well as to respond.

This study grew out of this role, specifically a time-sensitive request to the Center by the Chief of Staff, Army, for an information paper of actions taken by the U.S. Army during the Hukbalahap insurrection. In responding to the Chief of Staff's request for background information at the time of the leadership crisis in the Philippines, the Analysis Branch recognized the significance of the story, for it provides insight for those dealing with or planning for Army involvement in similar antiinsurgency situations. This case study analyzes successful U.S. Army involvement in a low intensity conflict for current and future planners, foreign policy specialists, MAAG members, and others interested in this most likely form of future conflict.

The author has examined the background of the Huk movement, discussed the Philippine response, and analyzed U.S. involvement. In doing so, he has identified several factors which proved decisive in controlling this insurgency. Critical to the American involvement in the Philippines were perceptive and innovative advisers who operated within the culture and tradition of the country while finding the proper level of support and assistance. In retrospect, such innovation and support appear to have derived more from low overall military priorities for the Philippines, which took a position behind Korea and

v

Europe, than from conscious individual actions by American advisers. However, the successful result is one worthy of consideration for contemporary and future application.

This study is not intended to be the definitive treatment of a highly complex political, military, and social situation. Indeed the author operated under a very tight time schedule that precluded more extensive primary research. However, the issues that he raises have sufficient relevance to current and future concerns to warrant a wider distribution than intended in his initial study. This study thus becomes the first in a new Research and Analysis Division series -- "Special Studies." Future studies in this series will likewise deal with issues raised in our shorter range and time sensitive projects.

The author, Major Lawrence M. Greenberg, is an Ordnance officer and Latin American Foreign Area Officer. He is a graduate of The Citadel, the Air Command and Staff College, holds a Master of Arts degree in International Relations, and has been a member of the Research and Analysis Division's Analysis Branch since March 1985. Major Greenberg also is the author of the soon-to-be published study in the "Historical Analysis Series," United States Army Unilateral and Coalition Operations in the 1965 Dominican Republic Intervention.

Washington, D.C.
31 July 1986

ROBERT FRANK
LTC, IN
Chief, Research and Analysis Division

vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With the deepest sense of appreciation I would like to thank some of those individuals who extended their time, personal experiences, insights, and criticisms tome while I was preparing this study. Without their help this study could not have been written within the deadline established, nor would it have contained information and impressions that could only be gathered by first-hand experience.

During the research phase of the study I received exceptional assistance from Ms. Marcie Stone at the Pentagon Library for requests for DTIC materials and from the entire staff at the National Archives, Modern Military Records Division, in obtaining original government documents relating to the insurrection. It was during this period that I first had contact with retired Major General Edward Lansdale at his home in McLean, Virginia. General Lansdale possessed a unique combination of experience and concern for political-military issues and operations that shed new light and perspectives on the Huk rebellion. During a time of convalescence, General Lansdale critically reviewed my draft manuscript. He both provided me with substantive corrections of fact and validated my assumptions and conclusions.

Still others who were kind enough to review the draft manuscript helped me traverse brief lapses of continuity and logic and shared their individual understandings of Philippine conditions and culture. Within the Center of Military History, I was assisted by Chief Historian Dr. David F. Trask, by Dr. Lowell K. Dyson, and by Dr. Graham A. Cosmas. I would also like to express my appreciation to my fellows in the Analysis Branch for thier time and

vii

criticisms. To Dr. Alexander "Sandy" Cochran, Majors David Campbell, Frank Julia, Peter Kozumplik, Bruce Pirnie, and our honorary Major, Dr. Edgar Raines, thank you all.

I would also like to thank Dr. Charles A. Endress (LTC, USAR) who managed to give the manuscript a most complete review amidst his full-time responsibilities as Head, Department of History, Angelo State University.

Lastly, I would like to express special thanks to Congressman Ben Blaz (Guam) and his entire staff for reviewing the manuscript and providing me candid commentary. Congressman Blaz, a retired Marine Corps general officer and Pacific-region historian, was suggested to me as an expert reader. Despite his busy schedule, he reviewed the manuscript and forwarded to me his comments on its timeliness and continued relevance.

To others I have not mentioned by name, thank you as well. Without support from each of you, this study could not have been written. For interpretations of events or errors of fact or omission, I alone retain full responsibility.

Washington, D.C.
31 July 1986

Lawrence M. Greenberg
Major, OrdC
Military Analyst

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ix

CHARTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

x

CHRONOLOGY

xi

page created 14 February 2002

Return to CMH Online