PEFTOK: THE

FORGOTTEN
WAR
THE PHILIPPINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
TO KOREA, 1950-1955

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE
PHILIPPINE HISTORY
FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS, HISTORY DEPARTMENT

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

SUBMITTED BY:

OBEYA, JACE LAIMBER N.

OREIRO, NICO ANGELO B.

MACAVINTA, RODEL EMMANUEL A.

MARANAN, ADRIAN DG.

MARALLAG, ELLAINE DENICE H.

VILLOCINO, RACHELLE ANNE P

SUBMITTED TO:

MS. ANALIZA A. YANGGA, M.A.

May 3, 2017
 I. Introduction:

1950 was a crucial year in Philippine history. It was during this year that Ramon
Magsaysay, who would later become President, was appointed as Secretary of National Defense
under the Quirino Administration. It was during his tenure that the government started initiating
counter-attacks against the Huk insurrection until the surrender of their leader Luis Taruc on May
17, 1954. More importantly, it was also during his tenure as SND that the Philippine military
emerged as an effective fighting force that finally defeated the Huks at their own game
(Azada, 2008). This was due to the replacement of regimental combat organization with the
Batallion Combat Team (BCT).

When the Korean War sparked in 19501, President Elpidio Quirino sent the 10th BCT to
fight in Korea. This was done to fulfill the countrys responsibility as a co-signer of the United
Nations Charter2. However, there was one more important reason that made President Quirino
commit to send his men to the Korean War, although the Philippines had a limited military force
at that time. This was due to an impending communist advance (North Korea) that would
strengthen the Huks rebellion, which was inspired by communist ideals. During the farewall
rally for the 10th BCT attended by 60,000 Filipinos on September 2, 1950 at the Rizal Memorial
Stadium, President Quirino said that although the Philippines was still experiencing economic
difficulties due to the aftermath of the Second World War, the retention and protection of the
countrys liberty and freedom are more important than the money invested in sending and aiding
the soldiers that were sent to the Korean War.

The 10th BCT was the first combat unit that was sent to Korea .It was one of the five Philippine
combat units that was obliged by the United Nations Command (UNC), and with 1,400 men, it
1 The Korean War, which commenced on June 25, 1950, sparked when North Koreas
Communist army crossed the 38th Parallel Line and occupied South Korea, which was a
Democatic state. North Korea, under the one-man rule of Kim Il-Sung and with the help of
the Soviet Union and the Peoples Repulbic of China, invaded South Korea, which was aided
by the United States and other democratic states.

2 The United Nations Charter, which was ratified on October 24, 1945, obliges its signatory
countries to abide to its four main purposes, namely to secure global peace, develop
harmonious relations among nations, promote coordination among nations to solve
economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues.
was the first Asian combat unit that entered the Korean War and the third foreign combat unit3 to
do so.

Five AFP BCTs, under the name Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK), were sent
to the Korean War from 1950-1955 with more than 7,000 soldiers.

The PEFTOK was constituted by the following BCTs:

10th Batallion Combat Team (Steady On)

20th Batallion Combat Team (Leaders)
19th Batallion Combat Team (Bloodhounds)
14th Batallion Combat Team (Avengers)
2nd Batallion Combat Team (Black Lions)

These PEFTOK units valiantly fought against the Chinese Volunteer Army (CVA)4, the
main antagonist of the Korean War. No PEFTOK unit was invaded succesfully as a whole by the
CVA because of their credibility in combat. In their defense of global and national interests, the
PEFTOK lost more than 100 Filipino soldiers, while 300 soldiers were wounded and more or
less, 40 soldiers were made prisoners of war.

Objectives and Significance:

The Philippines participated in the Korean War more than the general Filipino public is
informed, and this paper aims to gather the most relevant information regarding the events and
those involved.

Listed below are the objectives of this report and the significance of the study, which will be
the foundation of the topics to be discussed further on. This paper is written to assess the

3 The United States was the first country that entered the Korean War, followed by
the United Kingdom.

4This army was actually a police force of the United Nations. To prevent war with
the US and other member nations of the United Nations, the Peoples Republic of
China stationed the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) under the name Chinese
Volunteer Army. The deployment of the PLA under the CVA was also done in honor
to North Koreas Korean Volunteer Army, which aided the Chinese communists
during the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War.
relevance of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces in the Korean War, which was very crucial
considering that large communist governments like the Chinese and Russian governments were
in support of the cause of North Koreas invasion. USA was already a major power at the time,
yet at these kinds of conflicts, those involved need as much allies as they can gather, and
PEFTOK chose to intervene and help its allied nation. Together with the intervention of the
Philippines in this huge international affair, the evaluation of the Philippine impression in the
Korean and international communities involved must also be done. It was a risk for the
Philippines to offer numerous battalions of its soldiers for a war, fighting for a fellow democratic
Asian country, and surely the Korean and American governments have impressions regarding
this tactic executed by the Philippines. Their opinion on the power of the Philippines may have
changed during the war, and it would be an objective to find out. Another objective aimed is to
realize the causes and effects of the involvement of PEFTOK in this international affair. Surely
there is a solid reason why the Philippines helped South Korea. With this, there are local and
international effects by the involvement of Filipinos in a great conflict. The Philippines may have
had a stronger tie with a few countries after the war, and may then be distant from those on the
opposing side.

This study is significant for a few main reasons, first being that it defines the political
perspective of the Philippines at the time of international conflict. With the action that the
Philippines executed, it appears to be out of courtesy to a friend, since USA has strong ties with
the Philippines, and they dont want South Korea to go from the hands of Japan straight under
the Control of the Communist North Korea. The course of action itself chosen to be done by
Philippines is a statement in itself of who they were loyal to and how much of a risk they were
willing to take to keep the bond strong. Another significance of this study is that it demonstrates
the capability of the country at that time. The details of the PEFTOKs participation in the war
tell how corresponsive and brave our soldiers were, even amidst the casualties they were
enduring. It would be easier to compare the capability of the current Armed Forces to those we
had in the past through this paper. And the last main significance of this study is to inform
students, researchers and Filipinos of these important and historic people and events. It is
inarguable that the participation of PEFTOK is a very significant show of power and
responsibility of the Philippines, but very few people know of these events in full detail. As all
studies are meant to be shared and disseminated, it is also an aim to educate those who are not
aware of what the capabilities of the Philippines once were. These three are the main
significances of this study, and all others which would be mentioned may be associated and
categorized with those stated.

II. Body

In 1950, the Armed Forces of the Philippines introduced reforms in the area of battle tactics.
They combined military action with psychological warfare activites, so as to simultaneously
condition the mental and physical state of the soldiers. More aggressive and effective leaders
were put in command to the Batallion Command Teams and patrolling schedule of military areas
and strategic locations were lengthened, extending up to several days. The BCTs weapons and
armory included automatic weapons, 81mm mortars, 75mm recoilless rifles, air support
detachment. These were transported through cargo vehicles. The BCT also had aircrafts, usually
WWII L-5 artillery observation planes which provided aerial resupply. It also accumulated
intelligence information through observation or receiving secret messages from government
spies in the rebels territories. Helicopters were also used to transport wounded men on distant
missions.

Many of the PEFTOK soldiers were eperienced soldiers keeping fatalities among them low.
Many of them had also fought during the Second World War against the Japanese, adding to their
experience in combat. Their experience also made them successful in the missions assigned to
them by the United Nations Command. They were trained under the standards of American
military tactics and most of their equipment were sturdily made in the US. A number of their
officers studied in American military schools and specialist schools for professional handling of
weapons and armory.
 The first Batallion Combat Team sent by the Philippines to the Korean War5 was the 10th
BCT under the command of Col. Mariano Azurin. Guided by its motto, Steady On!6, its 1,367
men, who were aboard the US Navy troop transport, Sgt. Sylvester Antolak, set foot at the port of
Pusan on September 19, 1950. When the Korean War started on June 25, 1950, numerous war
veterans who fought during the Second World War and civilians with no background and training
in combating and the military craft volunteered to join the war in Korea. The 10th BCT trained in
the rugged and hilly terrains of Marikina (Azada, 2008), which were of likeness to the terrains of
Korea where they would engage in fighting. Col. Azurin, the first commander of the 10th BCT,
had his professional training at the US Army Armor School in Kentucky.

Being the first combat unit sent by the Philippines to the Korean War7, Filipinos of that time
saw it as a great source of pride and honor because of the fact that although there is an internal
and serious advancing of communist forces in the country, the Philippines still decided to protect
and retain democracy in a foreign country, partly due to it being an ally of democratic states like
the US and South Korea. Doing this would also mean the protection of democracy within our
country due to the alliance of the Huks with communist states like North Korea, which imposed
a serious threat of impending communist takeover.

With more than 1,400 men, the 10th BCT, upon their arrival in Pusan, had three rifle
companies, a medium tank company, a reconaissance company equipped with light tanks and a
field artillery battery. The 10th BCT was stationed in antiguerilla operations during their first six

5 According to Johnny Villasanta, a Filipino war correspondent, the Korean War was
up one hill, up another, up the next and the next one after that. The war was
actually a kind of a large-scale mountain war (Azada, 2008). Adding to the
mountainous characteristic of the Korean peninsula which made it difficult to
navigate was the Korean weather, ranging from scorching summers to freezing
winters. When the 10th BCT was sent to the war in 1950, it was winter and it was the
coldest winter in two centuries with a temperature ranging from -30 Celsius and
lower.

6 Their motto Steady On! was based from their shouting phrase while practicing
their shooting skills.

7 The Korean War was the first foreign war fought by the then newly-formed
Republic of the Philippines.
months in Korea. At Waegwan, South Korea, the 10th BCT faced for the first time the North
Korean guerillas but with serious fatalities, including the death of Pvt. Alipio Ceciliano, the first
Filipino killed in the Korean War.

On November 11, 1950, the 10th BCT faced its first major battle against the North Korean
batallions. This was in the town of Miudong in North Korea. Their mission was to secure the
town of Syngue so that it can be safely occupied by Sgt. Maximo Young and his troops. The
sudden attacks that were inflicted by the Filipinos to the North Korean batallions made the North
Koreans retreat before more casualties can happen on their side. 42 North Korean Soldiers were
killed in the battle and over 100 were left wounded. On the side of the 10th BCT, only one man
was killed. Prior to the Battle Of Miudong, Lt. Venancio Bonny Serrano and his men arrested
77 North Korean soldiers and symphatizers and raided a lot of ammunition on November 5,
1950. The Battle of Miudong was the first battle won by the PEFTOK and the Filipinos on
foreign land.

The Battle of Yuldong, which commenced from April 22 to April 26, 1951, was perhaps, the
most famous battle that was fought by the PEFTOK in the Korean War. With the valiant spirit of
the Filipino soldiers, they successfully defeated soldiers of the Chinese Volunteer Army. The
battle inflicted heavy casualties on the side of the Chinese Volunteer Army and lighter casualties
on the side of the PEFTOK, leaving 10 soldiers dead including Staff Sgt. Nicolas Mahusay who
was killed by a sniper while defending his batallion against enemy mortars, 26 wounded and 14
missing. The mountainous town of Yuldong witnessed the bloodiest and most serious battle
fought by the Filipinos in defense of democracy. Because of the gallant characteristic showed by
the 10th BCT, they earned the moniker The Fighting FIlipinos.

On September 27, 1951, the 10th BCT was ordered to withdraw from the battle scene and on
October 23, 1951, they finally returned to the Philippines. During the batallions 398 days of
fighting in the Korean War, it lost 43 men and left 9 soldiers missing and 58 more captured by
the enemy.

A few weeks before the Battle of Yuldong, the first contingent of the 20th BCT consisting of
1,400 men had already arrived in Korea. The battalion was spearheaded by Col. Salvador
Abcede. It is somehow considered as an inherited new kind of war from 10th BCT because both
the United Nations Command (UNC) and the Communists opened armistice negotiations to end
the war beginning July 1951 in the towns of Kaesong and Panmunjom. As a result, the great
attacks and counterattacks of the wars first year gave way to a stalemate on the battlefield.

The first contingent of the 19th BCT arrived in Korea late April 1952 with its commander
Col. Ramon Aguirre. While having the on-going discussions of the armistice, the 19th BCT came
into action against the men of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPV). Dominating the
Chorwon-Siboni Are in the battle of the hills could be their most outstanding combat
achievement since it is considered as the vulnerable sector of the UNCs front line. They were
given responsibility for defending Hill 191 (also called Arsenal Hill) and Hill Eerie8, comprising
Combat Outpost No. 8, on June 17. Suddeny on June 18, the CPV bombarded the 19ths
positions with heavy artillery fire, killing two men and wounding four men. The battalions
howitzers and mortars returned fire, inflicting casualties on the CPV. The intense artillery duel
was a prelude to what would soon be called The Rizal Day Battle for Combat Outpost No. 8.

The intense artillery duels resulted in the deaths of eight Filipinos, including an officer. The
Chinese fought to a standstill and forced to retreat by a savage counterattack. The fight continued
until the morning of the 21st. The retreating Chinese left behind the hulks of two tanks and over
500 dead. Eight Filipinos were killed and 16 wounded in the brutal night battle. At the end of the
four-day battle, a group of Filipino soldiers ascended Hill 191 and, in full view of the Chinese,
planted the Filipino flag on its summit. It was a heroic act of defiance that told the Chinese they
had lost this battle.

The 14th BCT under Col. Nicanor Jimenez arrived on March 26, 1953. It was named the
Avengers by the Secretary of Nataional Defense, Ramon Magsaysay since it has a splendid
record in the anti-Huk campaign. It proceded to Chuncon from Pusan by the train and were it
went through the Injo Valley for it served as their reserve. It hit the front line on May 15. One of
their missions is to deny the enemy the use of the valley in able to secure commanding terrain at
"Sandbag Castle" and Hertbreak Ridge.

8 The Hill 191 or Battle of Hill Eerie refers to several Korean War engagements
between the United Nations forces and the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) in
1952 at Hill Eerie, a military outpost about ten miles west of Ch'orwon. It was taken
several times by both sides; each sabotaging the others' position.
 Patrols into enemy territory sparked short but there are vicious close quarter combats. In one
patrol, squad under Staff Sgt. Ponciano Agno of C Company rescued another squad trapped by
the Chinese. Two months at the front resulted into losing of four men KIA and 27 WIA.
Fourtunately, the battalion was relieved by units of the US 45th Infantry Division.The 14th also
took part in the rescue of the ROK 20th Division as it was attacked by the CPV. On the evening
of June 14, the CPV attacked the battalions blocking position.The following morning, they
counterattacked at Christmas Hill, which the CPV had taken from an American company. After
being delayed by rain and sleet, the counterattack made good progress and regained Christmas
Hill. CPV casualties totaled over 200 killed in this action. In the afternoon, the battalion
deployed to new positions. On July 18, the battalion beat off an enemy company because of
probing its defenses. At Hill 500 on the State-re front, the Chinese tried to persuade the 14th to
go home. We are not your enemies, the Chinese screamed over their loudspeakers but they
were ignored.

On the 24 July, A Company was hit by heavy enemy artillery fire that continued for the
next three days. Thousands of rounds were hurled at the battalion disrupting communications and
re-supply. The battalions artillery returned fire and expended thousands of rounds against the
Chinese artillery and infantry positions. In late July, the 14th was pulled out of the front line and
moved to the Yanggu Valley where the battalion embarked on an intensive training program and
joined in efforts to rebuild villages considering it as their new base. For its efforts, the 14th
received the South Korean Presidential Unit Citation in December 1953, and the Philippine
Presidential Unit Citation upon its return home in March 1954.

On July of 1946, the 2nd BCT was formed. It is one of the most combat experienced units in
the anti-Huk campaign for it gained its vast tactical experience in years of combat against the
communist Huks in Central and Southern Luzon. The 2nd was trained at Marikina for its
departure to Korea. This is known as "Marikorea" by the troops. During their training, the
Korean War was already winding down. They could be considered as the most developed
battalion since they were trained on new weapons, received new equipment and to fight in a war
involving nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. They were even the first Filipino military
unit trained in the new doctrine of helicopter assault or vertical envelopment. Elements of the
battalion were designated as a "Heliborne Task Force."
 However, the first contingent of the 2nd BCT were sent to Korea in December 1953 and the
rest left for Korea in April of 1954. The battalion commander was Col. Antonio de Veyra but
later on was succeeded by Col Reynaldo Mendoza. The battalion arrived at Pusan and proceeded
to Yanggu Valley. The battalion was first attached to the US 24th Infantry Division9. Although
fighting in the Korean War officially ended with the signing of the Armistice on 27 July 1953,
the resulting "peace" was destroyed by armed incidents involving both sides.

The 2nd BCT patrols along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing North and South Korea
to hunt down communist infiltrators and guerillas. Patrols are dangerous for the territories are
packed with land mines and also patrolled by the communists inflicted casualties. In 13 months,
it successfully defended the front. Their duties to promote pease was also seen when the battalion
undertake the widespread reconstruction work in which it rebuilt homes, repaired roads and
provided medical assistance to South Korean civilians.

III. Analysis

The Korean War, which began 67 years ago on June 25, 1950, still remains a "Forgotten War"
among the Filipinos. But remembering our heroes of the war, memory fails over time. The
Korean War remains a Forgotten War but memories of past greatness live on despite our frail
human memories.

The Philippines joined the Korean War despite having to contend with a communist-led
rebellion and an economy crippled by the immense destruction wrought by the Second World
War. However, its alliance with the United States and the war scare and public pressure inflicted
among the filipinos had greatly influenced the official Philippine decision to send combat troops
to Korea.

At first, the Quirino administration was hesitant about the sending of troops to Korea but
being a member of the United Nations10, the Philippines actively supported all the important U.S.
drafted resolutions of the U.N. Security Council and the General Assembly in defense of South

9 Formed during World War II from the disbanding Hawaiian Division, the division
saw action throughout the Pacific theater, first fighting in New Guinea before
landing on the Philippine islands of Leyte and Luzon, driving Japanese forces from
them.
Korea against the North specifically the Security Council Resolution of June 27, 1950, and later,
against Communist China. In accordance to this, the Philippines gave its contributions which
only contained goods. This attempt to express the support failed as the U.S. didn't much
appreciated it. A deeper reason for committing the Philippines limited military power to a
foreign war. Korea was far away and a communist victory would probably have been a severe
blow to the Philippines. The country was poor, the national government was almost bankrupt in
1950, relying heavily on aid from the United States and reparations from Japan to stay afloat and
to rebuild an economy shattered by the Second World War. Damage to industries was at millions
and millions more in assets were destroyed. The government was also plagued by massive
bureaucratic corruption at the time, conveyed off more than P1 billion in badly needed foreign
aid. Despite these daunting realities, the Philippines committed its meager armed strength to aid
Korea, and also offered to send combat troops to Nationalist China to deter a feared Communist
Chinese invasion. Poor as we are, this country is making a great sacrifice in sending you there
(Korea), but every peso invested in you is a sound investment for the perpetuation of our liberty
and freedom, said Quirino to Filipinos who attended the farewell rally for the 10th BCT on 2
September 1950 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.On the other hand, U.S. pressure
toward a more active Philippine participation in the American war efforts in Korea took the form
of increased aid incentive. After the outbreak of the :Korean War, President Truman requested
the U.S. Congress for an additional $30 million for military aid to the Philippines and other
"friendly countries."

The news of a war in Korea barely five years after the trauma of World War II surprised
Filipinos since the relative geographic proximity of Korea to the Philippines-Manila being
approximately three and a half hours away by plane from the South Korean capital city of Seoul-
precipitated a war scare among the Filipinos. If Korea turned communist, the Philippines might
follow suit, especially in view of the escalation of the Huk raids in the countryside after the
outbreak of the Korean War.

This points out to President Rodrigo Duterte on his recent idea on enacting a conscription
law in the Philippines. Duterte said that we should know how to defend ourselves because

10 The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization to promote

international co-operation and to create and maintain international order.
nobody else will. Who else will defend you? Ask America for help? They will not die for you.
You will be the ones who will die for our country. That is the message of a father to a nation. You
will be the ones who will sacrifice,.Quirino showed valiant efforts and great sacrifice to support
allies in war. Duterte, on the other hand shows more interest on self-defense, in his tenure as
president he has made unlikely allies like China and is cutting ties with the United States, trying
to prove that his country can fend for itself and does not want the Americans intervention.
Question is, in the event of war, will the Philippines be able to defend against its enemies? Will
we need troops from our allies like Korea during the Korean war?

Bibliography:

Armed Forces of the Philippines. "PEFTOK War Activities." Office of the Chief of Historical
Activities, Camp General E. Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines. (unpublished).

Azada, Victoria T. The War in Korea. Quezon City: PEFTOK Veterans Association, Inc., 2008.

Quirino Presidential Papers File. Ayala Museum and Library, Metro Manila, Philippines.
(unpublished).

Manila Times, 1950.

Gallego, Manuel. The Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea Before the Eyes of the Law.
Manila: Magsimpan Press, 1950.

Gordenker, Leon. The United Nations and the Peaceful Unification of Korea: The Politics of
Field Operations, 1947-1950. The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, 1959.