Historiographical and Legal Narrative of the Hukbalahap and Hukbong Magpapalaya ng Bayan (HMB) movement (1942-1956)

• Main Author: Gacutan, Allen Louis P.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2023
• Subjects: historian; historiography; legal narrative; rebellion; guerilla
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2023/paper_tph/1; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/conf_shsrescon/article/1842/viewcontent/Historiographical_and_Legal_Narrative_of_the_Hukbalahap_and_Hukbong_Magpapalaya_ng_Bayan__HMB__movement__1942_1956_.docx.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Upon the instance of historical studies’ inclination to being event-based and substantive regarding such historical figures and events. This study aims to provide the overviewing narrative, historiographical and legal narratives towards shedding light on the Hukbalahap and Hukbong Magpapalaya ng Bayan movement from the year 1942 - 1956. In line with this, a historical narrative was first sought upon to provide a nuanced perspective on whether or not the said movements are to be inclined with a communist, guerilla, or agrarian movement. Furthermore, the study utilized a historiographical research in line with textual analysis of the primary and secondary sources, specifically the works of Kerkvliet, Agoncillo, Constantino, De la Costa alongside several sources of jurisprudence. Despite the differences posited by the historians, the recurring theme in their depiction of the Huks was the affiliation of the organization to the Communist Party of the Philippines and that they should not necessarily be branded as a rebel organization but rather a nationalist movement. Finally, an analysis on the legal narrative was discussed to harmonize the differing portrayals provided by the aforementioned historians wherein the Huks committed crimes such as Rebellion under the Revised Penal Code which is against the public and results in an obstruction of justice. From this, the research concluded to provide an understanding to not glorify their actions and efforts nor prejudice their overall struggle but rather to harness a balance while not disregarding the facts stated from the two narratives will benefit to better recognize such varied facts.