EFFORTS OF GROUP LED BY SPEAKER PERES TO FORCE SEPARATION OF PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP82-00457R010000300009-2
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
November 16, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 18, 2000
Sequence Number: 
9
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
January 17, 1952
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP82-00457R010000300009-2.pdf121.17 KB
Body: 
0tA" Approved For Release 2000/06/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457R010000'300009-2 CLASSIFICATION / FrM0L - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY CENTRE 1N `EZtT bN AG 1CY REPORT NO.1 INFORMATION REPORT CD NO. COUNTRY Philippines SUBJECT Efforts of Group Led by Speaker Perez to Force Separation of Philippine Constabulary 25X1A PLACE ACQUIRED DATE OF INFO. nn Nn 090 UATE DISTR. 17 Jan. 1952 NO. OF PAGES 2 DENT TO EPORT NO. 1. Efforts to force the separation of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),l which are being led by House Speaker Eugenio Perez, have gained the support of the chairmen of three important House committees, including Villareal of Military Defense, Arnaldo of Appro- priations, and Allas of Ways and Means. 2. The persons who are supporting this move have attempted to gain additional support for their efforts by spreading anti-military feeling. This has in- cluded efforts to cast doubt on the effectiveness of anti-HMB operations; suggestions that ranking military leaders are diverting prize money for cap- tured HMB leaders to their own use; and implications in public statements that mil`lwary leaders are guilty of inordinate ambition and of bungling. As a result, both the Military Defense Committee and the Ways and Means Com- mittee have threatened to conduct investigations, possibly leading to cur- tailment of military appropriations for 1952. ,, 3. 4. ARMY In its efforts to force AFP leaders to agree to the separation of the PC, this group led by Perez also is seriously affecting. the morale of members of the military forces, thus making the AFP less effective in its campaign against the HMB. Members of the group also have made the claim that the AFP, which is supported by the U. S., is prepared to attempt a military coup d'etat in the Philippines. As a result of these misleading claims against the AFP and its leaders which have been made by members of the Perez group, Defense Secretary Ramon Mag- saysay has been obliged to make frequent speeches denying various allegations that he has political aspirations. The statements by members of the group that none of their efforts are aimed at Magsaysay are believed to be untrue. CLASSIFICATION 3 T/CONTROL certain unidentified Liberal Party leaders are developing a plan to counter the power of Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay by separating the Philippine Constabulary from the Army and placing it under the Department of the Interior, and by appointing Jose Avelino as Interior Secretary. These moves apparently were scheduled for completion during December 1951, according to this report. AIR x NsR13 Ix: Fa!..__ ament j Ile man @ In .., .~ g Class. Q Li Deolassjfed Approved For Release 2 lt~ff7,f b2-a~'451 0000300 - A / 0 t: ETURN TU-uECURDS- :Chill '"?fi IMMEDIATELY AFT IF Approved For Release,200010610: CIA-RDP82-00457RO10000300009-2 9MRPM/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY CENTRAL TNTEL.LIG11(CE AGENCY 50-79796 it also was reported during December 1951 that Speaker Peres had announced that he would initiate action returning the PC to the Department of the Interior when Congress reconvened, explaining that it was not sound to con- solidate the Police and national security agencies. The announcement drew widespread opposition from the press, as well as indications that AFP leaders would strongly oppose such a change. Vft,W/CONTROL - U. S. OFFICIALS ONLY Approved For Release 2000/06/08 : CIA-RDP82-00457RO10000300009-2