This collection of documents provides a rare, tangible record of the Filipino guerrilla resistance against the Japanese Imperial Army in the closing months of World War II, specifically in the Negros Oriental province of the Philippines. One document is an individual's Oath of Allegiance and Guerrilla Service Record dated March 20, 1945, taken at Camp Leon Kilat. This record highlights the formal induction and commitment of Filipino volunteers to the United States Army Forces in the Philippines (USAFFE) and the Commonwealth government, showcasing the deep-seated loyalty and determination of local citizens to the Allied cause. The second document, an official communication from the District Intelligence Office dated August 26, 1945, outlines strict rules of conduct for all personnel, including squad leaders and platoon sergeants, underscoring the organization's shift from pure clandestine resistance to a more disciplined force managing the transition of authority near the war's end. Collectively, these items are highly relevant to the institution's history and local culture, as they authenticate the crucial, yet often under-documented, role of ordinary Negrenses who fought as guerrillas, transforming mountainous areas like those near Camp Leon Kilat into bases of national liberation. They serve as primary evidence of the organized military and intelligence structure of the Visayan resistance movement.
World War II Filipino guerrilla service record and military intelligence correspondence (Negros Oriental)