Hukbalahap

From Freepedia

The Hukbalahap was the militant arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese occupation in the Philippines during World War II. The term is a contraction of the Filipino term "Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon" which means "Army of the Nation Against the Japanese". The group is more commonly known as Huks.

History

The Hukbalahap started off as several groups of resistance against the Japanese imperial army that occupied the Philippines after the defeat of the American-Filipino military in the early days of World War II.

Its strength came from the mostly agrarian peasants of Central Luzon. The group's leaders, among them figure-head Luis Taruc, aimed at leading the Philippines toward Marxist ideals. The Hukbalahap Insurrection (1946-1954) is often inaccurately portrayed as an attempt by the group to take over the Philippine government. In actuality, their goals were far more understandable - recognition as WWII Freedom fighters and a share of war reparations.