Kumander Guerrero will live on: Remembering Simeona Tapang

“The living legend, Kumander Guerrero, is now dead!" 67-year-old Gloria declared with a flourish and a half-laugh, two days after the death of her aunt, the esteemed Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) commander who fought in the Second World War.

The title seemed to be an inside joke among the loved ones of Kumander Guerrero—whose real name was Simeona Tapang—for it was delivered with mirth and aching fondness. In a barangay tucked inside the isolated town of San Simon, Pampanga, the veteran’s family gathered to pay their final respects, silent but content in each other’s familiar presence.

Most of the people who have heard about Simeona Tapang will remember her as the woman who commanded one of the most prestigious squadrons in Philippine history. Tapang was captain of Squadron No. 4 from November 1942 to December 1943, and was promoted to major in 1944 under the 1st Regiment, Second Battalion Staff, Regional Command No. 7.

But those who had been close to her and lived with her after she had hung up her favorite automatic rifle, will retain a more complicated image of her: a warrior, still, but overlaid with layers untouched by history books. Simeona Tapang was also an advisor, a mother, an aunt.

“Mahal na mahal namin yun,” Gloria said with a smile. “Kasi nung maliliit kami, ramdam namin, mahal na mahal niya kami.”

“Siya ang nagpalaki sa amin,” her granddaughter Liza said. “Maasikaso siya.”

Tapang’s only daughter, 67-year-old Ligaya, had a more somber air about her. She was the first to admit that her mother hadn’t been completely immersed in family life.

“Hindi siya totally naging family person,” Ligaya said. “Dito, naging presidente siya ng isang samahan. Hindi siya tumitigil sa activity ng baryo. Naging president ng PTA siya… hanggang sa naging counselor siya ng Municipal of San Simon.”

“Naging advisor siya ng buong baryo,” Gloria added. “Di lang dito, kahit sa ibang baryo. Pinapakinggan siya ng mga tao.”

It comes as no surprise that Tapang fought for the welfare of others until the very end. A farmer's daughter who grew up in poverty, she was moved into founding the Katipunang Pambansa ng mga Magsasaka sa Pilipinas before she reached the age of 20. There, she inspired a group of people who eventually followed her into war.

Front-line fighter

During the war, Tapang fought the way she loved: fiercely and single-mindedly.

When 13 of her soldiers were killed in battle in Guiguinto, Bulacan, the commander jumped furiously to the front lines.

“Nung namatayan siya ng tauhan, siya mismong tumayo sa gitna,” Ligaya said. “Yung tauhan niya na natira, sinabihan niya, 'Pag 'di ka sumunod sa akin, ako babaril sa iyo!’”

Even when the war ended, Tapang’s journey remained far from easy. She was imprisoned for a year in Zambales and was only granted amnesty during the Marcos era.

But the difficulties she encountered for fighting for her country did not deter her from caring for her daughter. According to Ligaya, even as she was imprisoned, Tapang sent people to check up on her.

“Kahit na nakakulong, kahit na malayo...inaalagaan pa rin niya ako,” Ligaya said. “Hinahangaan ko siya. Ang puso niya...pinaglalaban ang karapatan niya. Pinaglalaban niya ang mga mamamayan.”

Life with the Kumander

Simeona's family took turns gleefully sharing their favorite stories about the veteran with GMA News Online.

“Yung mga pamangkin ko, niloloko nila siya, "Paulit-ulit naman yung mga kwento ni Lola!'” granddaughter Liza laughed. “Na-capture daw siya ng mga Hapon, di siya naliligo para di siya ma-rape. Di siya nagbibihis. Mabaho siya!”

“Kahit ngayon tawag namin sa kanya ‘katol,’” Gloria grinned. “Nung panahon niya, sabi ni Luis Taruc, pag umaakyat sila ng bundok, nauuna siya. Yung hangin naiiwan kay Luis Taruc, at sa ibang commander—mabaho daw, sumisingaw siya.”

Luis Taruc, the late HUK Supremo Chief Commander, played a huge role in Tapang’s life. Ligaya revealed that Taruc was the one to wed her parents.

“Ang kasal nila, kasal ng Hukbo,” Ligaya said. “Sa baril, nagsumpaan sila. Si Luis Taruc ang nagkasal sa kanila, kaya hanggang ngayon walang marriage contract ang mother ko.”

Tapang had married a commander based in Bulacan—Kumander Montenegro, who founded the Batalyong Ilaw in Malolos. The only reason they encountered each other was because of the Guiguinto battle.

“Nung nanligaw sa kanya ang father ko, parang di siya naniniwala,” Ligaya smiled. “Di siya naniniwala na talagang gusto siya, ang ayos niya panglalaki.”

As Ligaya recounted tales that her mother shared with her, she flipped through an album, old photographs pressed between the pages. She pointed out one she considered most special: a portrait of the father she never met. Kumander Montenegro had died in action right before she was born; his body was never recovered.

“Mga kwento niya tungkol sa panahon ng Hapon, at nung bata pa sila… Hindi mawawala sa memory namin,” Liza said firmly.

Warrior until the end

One of the final lessons Tapang taught her daughter was one that defined her years of service to the country.

As the last living HUKBALAHAP commander, Tapang was given the task of verifying the identities of her fellow veterans so they could access their pensions.

In one particular instance, a grateful veteran offered to give Tapang a share of his money.

“Sabi niya, ‘Di ko kailangan yan, parang pinagbili ko yung pagtulong ko sa inyo,’” stated Ligaya, who was requested to witness the verification process when her mother grew older and weaker.

Ligaya said that Tapang became bedridden a year ago, but even then, her mind was sharp. She was still able to chant the songs she and her soldiers used to recite during the war.

“Dinala namin siya sa hospital nung June 29,” Ligaya recounted. “Biglang bumaba yung sugar niya. Biglang bumaba presyon niya, 50/30. Tsaka nung isang araw lang latang-lata na siya.”

Before she succumbed to illness, Tapang had a last reminder to her daughter.

“Isa sa mga huling sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Ang karangalan ng tao...hindi nabibili,’” Ligaya said.

Simeona Tapang, "Kumander Guerrero" of Squadron No. 104, passed away on June 30.

But although a link to the past has been laid to rest, Kumander Guerrero will live on through the stories and principles she had passed on. — BM/RSJ, GMA News