This paper was presented at the Leyte Normal University Regional Workshop-Conference on Social Research last October 17, 2007 by the author, Emil B. Justimbaste. This is just a prelude to a book he is presently writing on the same subject.

Introduction
The Tragedy of Dulag
Northern Leyte Guerillas
Southern Leyte Guerillas
Miranda
Enter Kandleon
MacArthur Connection
Miranda vs. Kangleon
References

    The MacArthur connection

It was only three months later, in April 1943, that Charles "Chicks" Parson, MacArthur's new master spy, would get in touch with him and offer him the command of the 9th military district which included Leyte and Samar. Whether or not that was in consultation with his superior MacArthur, it did not matter then. He was MacArthur's second trusted man in the country.

Kangleon was Parsons' first choice among the guerilla leaders in Leyte, especially since his contacts I.I. Richardson, Truman Hemingway and Joseph St. John found Kangleon to their liking. At first Kangleon begged off from the responsibility, citing his health as his main problem. He also said he was "tired of war" and "disgusted with the behavior of some of my countrymen here in Leyte and some of yours."³⁷

But Parsons would be insistent. After a few more minutes, Kangleon finally acceded, but not before he made Parsons promise to send him materials and supplies that he and his men needed for the war.

"Then I guess this is not the time for an old soldier like me to rest. You have made my duty clear. I have no choice. You may tell Gen. MacArthur I am ready to serve," Kangelon concluded.³⁸

Apparently, he did not tell Parsons that he had been busy since his arrival in December. Parsons never knew that Kangleon, without his prodding, had already taken over command and had become active barely a month after his spectacular "escape.'

Parsons left no appointment papers with Kangleon. He had yet to confer with Col. Wendell Fertig, commander of the 10th military district which included Mindanao and Sulu, and Fertig would relay this to his superior officers in Australia. The precious appointment papers would not arrive until November that year. In the meantime, Kangleon acted like he already had his papers and his authority from MacArthur.

Parsons' visit would only embolden his resolve to wrest control of the guerilla leadership in Leyte. After subduing Balderian and neutralizing Erfe 39, Kangleon set his sights on the stubborn Miranda who was holed in his lair at Kampo Langit. Chester Peters would host a unification conference in Inopacan, calling the guerilla leaders from Kampo Langit, Bato, Hilongos, and Hindang and from Sogod across the mountains. The guerillas were tense and hell would break loose with Peters himself initiating the fray. When the firing stopped, several guerillas would be dead or wounded. Peters was hit in the thigh, which would force him to stay away from the guerilla movement for the rest of the war.⁴⁰