HERO. Awe-struck Gov. Pineda fetes Kumander Guerrero.
PHOTO BY BONG LACSON
“THE STRUGGLE did not begin and end with World War II.” As much for freedom as for social justice, so qualified Simeona Punsalan- Tapang, aka Kumander Guerrero, at 92 – born July 1, 1922 – the oldest living high-ranked leader of the Huk movement, from its inception as the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (Hukbalahap) to its evolution and – as generally assumed – ultimate demise as the Hukbong Magpagalaya ng Bayan(HMB).
Last Monday, the provincial government of Pampanga gave a long-overdue recognition of Tapang’s war and post-war heroism “in the struggle for genuine social justice that contributed to the rich history of the valiant and patriotic Kapampangan people.”
“Truly a hero worthy of the people’s highest respect, esteem and emulation,” spoke Gov. Lilia G. Pineda of the woman warrior whom Huk Supremo Luis Taruc hailed as “a big-bodied woman with a man’s strength, fond of wearing men’s clothes, adept at handling an automatic rifle, and able to hold command at the firing line.”
Pineda’s admiration of Tapang rose to an even higher plane during the impromptu media interview at the Capitol lobby. Asked what she felt of the recognition the provincial government bestowed uponher, Tapang said she was both “saddened and humbled” of being honoured, thinking of her countless comrades who sacrificed their lives for their country “unrecognized, even unremembered.”
“So selfless, so imbibed with the spirit of community,” reacted Pineda on the sidelines of the interview.
Remembering
In the spirit of remembrance, the Inquirer’s Tonette Orejas, who broke the story on Kumander Guerrero, told this writer how well she can still sing the “Internationale,” prompting his rendition of the Tagalog version “Pandaigdigang Awit ng Manggagawa,” thus: “Bangon sa pagkakagupiling, bangon kauring alipin, sa daigdig iyong pilitin, demokrasya’s tanghalin…”
Leading Tapang to silently sing along, with her hand beating to the cadence of the martial tune: “Halina at ating usigin, laya nating sinisiil, buhay, dugo’y puhunanin, tanikala ay lagutin…” Her voice rising at the last refrain: “Ito’y huling paglalaban, magkaisa’t nang makamtan, ng Internationale ang buong ‘daigdigan.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as this writer kissed her hand. “We suffered a war not of our own making,” she said of WWII. “But we fought with honor, with utmost valor as many times we were right at the front lines, the American forces having abandoned us, and upon their return, bombing everything in sight, and then fighting behind us. All these sacrifices to gain our freedom.”
Sacrifices that were unrecognized, their ranks hunted down by the government after the war, she lamented. An organizer for the peasant organization Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magsasaka ng Pilipinas before the war, Tapang was not even 20 yet when she joined the guerrilla movement, rising in the ranks of the Apalit Squadron 104, one of the most battle- tested groups of the guerrilla army.
Thereafter, she joined the HMB’s Luzon Regional Command with Bataan province as her base of operations and was captured – with her infant child – at the time of Pampanga Gov. Jose B. Lingad (1948-1951).Her revolutionary zeal, she said, could have been hereditary as her father was an “insurrecto” in the War for Philippine Independence.
She too had her bittersweet moment of revolutionary romanticism — her husband, a comrade-in-arms with the nom de guerre “Montenegro” was killed, along with his whole unit, in an encounter in Candaba town.
Marcos
Of the recent restoration of her monthly pension as a HukVets member after the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office corrected its files that placed her status as “demised,” Tapang said that in all the years of fighting for the people “no one (in our ranks) ever thought of getting anything material in return.”
She acknowledged though the late President Ferdinand Marcos for giving the Huk veterans the recognition denied them by previous administrations through – she remembered most accurately – “Presidential Decree 1207.”
A subsequent check in the web revealed its title as “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,” and signed on October 7, 1977.
It was this decree that mandated (Section 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.”
Red forever
At the simple breakfast in an office at the Capitol, perhaps feeling some kindred spirit with this writer, Tapang readily opened up to some questions about her Marxist “conscientization.” Of her statement that opened this story – of the struggle neither starting nor ending with WWII – she dropped the line inscribed at the very core of Marxist theory: “permanent revolution.”
The persistent struggle of the revolutionary class pursuant to the attainment of the interest of the masses against the counter-revolutionary repression and oppression by the ruling classes, as this unrepentant communist understands from his own ideological orientation.
As true today, as it was in her time. “I graduated from Stalin University,” she proclaimed proudly, in impeccable English.
Role model
Later on Monday too, the heroism of Kumander Guerrero made the main theme in the inspirational remarks of Gov. Pineda during the salary distribution to those who availed themselves of the Special Program for the Employment of Students.
“A role model for selfless dedication and total commitment to her country and people,” Pineda said of Tapang to the students. “She is the hero each of us should aspire to be, every day of our lives.”
“So austere in her life, so undemanding, despite her great contribution to our country’s freedom,” said Pineda, noting the well-worn wheelchair of Tapang which the Capitol staff said would be replaced with a new one in time for her birthday. Her medical needs – she suffers from diabetes – will also be addressed by the provincial government.
“It’s the least we can do for our heroes,” Pineda said as she gave instruction to her staff to look for more “Kapampangans we are duty-bound to pay back for their contribution to the greatness of our race.” A strong sense of history, the governor of Pampanga has.
