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

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• 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
• Publication Date: January 17, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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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.
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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.
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 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