The Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (), better known by the abbreviation Hukbalahap, was a Filipino communist guerrilla movement formed by the farmers of Central Luzon. They were originally formed to fight the Japanese, but extended their fight into a rebellion against the Philippine government, known as the Hukbalahap rebellion in 1946. It was eventually put down through a series of reforms and military victories by Defense Secretary, and later President, Ramon Magsaysay.
Constituted in March 1942, the Hukbalahap was to be part of a broad united front resistance to the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. likely in emulation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Notwithstanding this name change, the HMB continued to be popularly known as the Hukbalahap, and the English-speaking press continued to refer to it and its members, interchangeably, as the Huks (Singular: Huk) during the whole period between 1945 and 1952.
A monument dedicated to the Huks in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, was constructed to honor their actions during World War II.
On October 14, 2023, the Luis M. Taruc Hukbalahap Monument at Garden of Peace Memorial Park in Santa Monica, San Luis, Pampanga, was unveiled to honor about 400 guerrilla fighters (including Luis Taruc, the late Antonio Sumang and 96-year-old Praxedes Clarin, in the statue, one of the nine surviving Huks) including Olimpia Ingal, Narciso Garcia, Josefa Tolentino, and Clemente Miranda, all 94, Dominga Sanchez, Anastacia Sali, and Natalia Lacanlale, all 98 and Francisca Salas, 99).
Background
thumb|left|upright=0.8|A commemorative plaque for the Hukbalahap written in [[Tagalog language|Tagalog installed in 2017 in Brgy. Bagong Sikat, Cabiao, where the movement was founded]]
The Hukbalahap movement has deep roots in the Spanish encomienda, a system of grants to reward soldiers who had conquered New Spain, established in 1570. This developed into a system of exploitation. In the 19th century, Filipino landlordism, under the Spanish colonization, arose further abuses.
After the opening of ports in Manila, Luzon's economy was transformed to meet the demands for exports of rice, sugar, and tobacco. Landowners increased the demands on farmers who rented parcels of land. These demands included increased rents, demands for proceeds from the sale of crops, and predatory lending agreements to fund farm improvements.
Only after the coming of the Americans were reforms initiated to lessen tensions between tenants and landlords. The reforms, however, did not solve the problems, and with growing political consciousness produced by education, peasants began to unite under educated but poor leaders. The most potent of these organizations was the Hukbalahap, which began as a resistance organization against the Japanese but ended as an anti-government resistance movement in 1946.
Inception during World War II
thumb|right|[[Luis Taruc in 1946]]
The idea of a guerrilla organization was conceived as early as October 1941, months before the Philippines' entry to World War II.
Robert Lapham reports either Luis Taruc or Casto Alejandrino met with Lieutenant Colonel Claude Thorp at Camp Sanchez in the spring of 1942, and the conferees agreed to cooperate, share equipment and supplies, with the Americans providing trainers. However, though the Huks fought the Japanese, they also "tried to thwart United States Army Forces in the Far East guerrillas", "therefore, they were considered disloyal and were not accorded U.S. recognition or benefits at the end of the war."
<blockquote>My experiences with the Huks were always unpleasant. Those I knew were much better assassins than soldiers. Tightly disciplined and led by fanatics, they murdered some Filipino landlords and drove others off to the comparative safety of Manila. They were not above plundering and torturing ordinary Filipinos, and they were treacherous enemies of all other guerrillas (on Luzon).</blockquote>
However, the Hukbalahap claimed that it extended its guerrilla warfare campaign for over a decade merely in search of recognition as World War II freedom fighters and former American and Filipino allies who deserved a share of war reparations.
Post-war and rebellion
thumb|right|Hukbalahap veteran's card
The end of the war saw the return of American forces in the Philippines. While the Hukbalahap expected to have their war efforts recognized and be treated as allies, the Americans, with the help of USAFFE guerrillas and former PC members, forcibly disarmed Huk squadrons while charging other guerrillas of treason, sedition, and subversive activity, leading to the arrests of Luis Taruc and Casto Alejandrino in 1945, as well as incidents such as the massacre of 109 Huk guerrillas in Malolos, Bulacan. Several others were also killed, including her eldest daughter and son-in-law. This attack brought worldwide condemnation of the Huks, who claimed that the attack was done by "renegade" members.
Organization
The Hukbalahap was regarded by the PKP as its "citizen's army" against the Japanese.