HUKBALAHAP MOVEMENT

1946 – 1956

The Hukbalahap Movement was a communist uprising formed by Filipino peasants with the intent to overthrow the Philippines' new independent government. The socialist-communist movement had originally formed to fight the Japanese forces in Central Luzon. However, when Japanese occupation came to an end, the newly liberated Philippine government—under the direction of the United States—arrested numerous Huks for allegedly being communist.

During this period of conflict, there were a series of election-related violence, political instability, and clashes with government troops as a result of the rebellion.  Unable to contend with the Philippine government's supply of advanced Westernized weaponry, the Huks retreated into the mountains, where they carried out their own guerrilla lifestyle.