Hukbalahap rebellion

Hukbalahap rebellion
Part of World War II (until 1945) and the Cold War (from 1945)

The red area on the map is Central Luzon, the main geographical area where the Huks are located.
DateMarch 29, 1942 – May 17, 1954
(12 years, 1 month, 2 weeks and 4 days)
Location
Central Luzon, Philippines
Result

First phase:
Huk victory

Second phase:
Philippine government victory

  • End of the rebellion
  • Capture of Luis Taruc in 1954
Belligerents

1942–1946:
 United States of America

Hukbalahap

1942–1945:
 Empire of Japan

1946–1954:
Republic of the Philippines

Supported by:
 United States of America

1946–1954:
Communist Party of the Philippines

Commanders and leaders
1942–1946:
United States Douglas MacArthur
Philippines Manuel L. Quezon #
Philippines Sergio Osmena
Vicente Lava
Juan Feleo
Luis Taruc
1946–1954:
Philippines Manuel Roxas #
Philippines Elpidio Quirino
Philippines Ramon Magsaysay
United States Edward Lansdale
1942–1945:
Empire of Japan Emperor Shōwa Surrendered
Empire of Japan Hideki Tojo Executed
Empire of Japan Masaharu Homma Executed
Empire of Japan Tomoyuki Yamashita Executed
Second Philippine Republic Jose P. Laurel
Second Philippine Republic Artemio Ricarte #
Second Philippine Republic Benigno Ramos
1946–1954:
Luis Taruc Surrendered
Jose Lava (POW)
Units involved
1942–1946:
Philippines Philippine Commonwealth Army
Philippines Philippine Constabulary (from 1944)
Philippines Recognized Guerrilla Units
People's Anti-Japanese Army
1946–1954:
Philippines Philippine Army
Philippines Philippine Constabulary
Philippines Philippine Army Air Corps (until 1947)
Philippines Philippine Air Force
Supported by:
United States United States Army
United States United States Navy
United States United States Marine Corps
United States United States Army Air Forces
United States Central Intelligence Agency

1942–1945:
 Imperial Japanese Army

 Imperial Japanese Navy

Second Philippine Republic Bureau of Constabulary (until 1944)
Second Philippine Republic Makapili
1946–1954:
People's Liberation Army
Strength
15,000–30,000 (1942–1946)
56,000 (1946–1954)
12,800 (peak)
Casualties and losses
Not confirmed

Nearly 6,000 killed

  • 1,600 wounded
  • 4,000 captured

The Hukbalahap rebellion was a rebellion staged by former Hukbalahap or Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (lit.'People's Anti-Japanese Army') soldiers against the Philippine government. It started in 1942 during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, continued during the presidency of Manuel Roxas, and ended in 1954 under the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay.