Hukbalahap Attacks 11 Towns

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 26, 1950

Around 5000 Communist Hukbalahap guerrillas also known as the Huks ravaged and seized 11 towns in Central Luzon and confiscated money, food, weapons, ammunition, clothing, medicine, and office supplies. 

400 armed Huks raided the municipality of Sta. Cruz, Laguna. They took the cashier of the provincial treasurer's office, from his house and at gunpoint forced him to open the treasury vault at the provincial capitol and took away the cash. They burned and looted the buildings in the town. Around 20 prisoners were released and kidnapped 9 provincial guards. 4 civilians, and 19 army personnel were either injured or killed. 15 rebels died in the incident. 

A day earlier, on August 15, 1950, they attacked, raided and set afire Camp Macabulos in Tarlac. The casualties included 13 military men, 9 civilians and a Red Cross nurse. 

In Tarlac, Tarlac, 200 Huks of the FC-22, 24 and 25 raided and attacked the town and unlawfully released 33 prisoners from the provincial jail.

 FC-21 composed of 90 Huks raided the municipality of Arayat, Pampanga, and took away the money from the Arayat Post Office, and properties belonging to the municipality of Arayat. They also killed an Attorney Samia in his house. 

The Huks were responsible for the ambush and death of Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon (chairman of the Philippine Red Cross and widow of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon) and members of her party on April 28, 1949. 

The Huks carried out a campaign of raids, hold ups, robbery, ambushes, murder, rape, massacres, kidnapping and intimidation. 

Ramon Magsaysay, who was appointed as the defense secretary of Pres. Elpidio Quirino on September 1950 was instrumental in the defeat of the Huks.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org