About the IV Philippine Corps Issue

Military Script 1943 – Army of the United States of America

On May 9, 1942 Col. Roger Hillsman, commanding USAFFE forces in Negros, ordered all units to surrender. Only one of five battalions complied.

 

The unsurrendered rank and file began the guerrilla movements. At the urging of these groups both Abcede and Mata accepted command of guerrillas in southern and northern Negros.

 

Meanwhile, over in Panay, Col. Peralta was organizing a IV Philippine Corps. When Abcede and Mata affiliated their organizations with his both were given promotions and their joint units were designated the 72nd infantry.

 

On January 17, 1943 Gen. MacArthur authorized him to issue “a reasonable amount of military script”. Peralta lost no time in passing on the good news and authorized Col. Abcede to issue 500,000 in Negros. Later the amount was increased to 5,000,000 pesos.

 

In Special Order No. 11, dated March 2, 1943, Col Abcede set up the Free Negros Military Currency Committee composed of Lt. Col. Ernesto S. Mata as Chairman, with division Finance Officer Lt. Agustin Paraiso and Ass’t. Div. Finance Officer Lt. Liberto Montane as Members.

 

The first notes printed bear the designation IV Philippine Corps, and were printed under the first authorization of 500,000 pesos.

 

Gen MacArthur ordered Col. Peralta to dissolve his IV Philippine Corps and restrict his command to Panay. Peralta was a bit slower in disseminating this information, but Negros was finally informed. So the second printing, while issued under Peralta’s 5,000,000 authorizations, had the designation changed to 7th Military District.

 

Printing was ordered stopped by Maj. Jesus Villamor, who was appointed Commanding Officer of the 7th Military District by Gen. MacArthur. By then a total of 824,450 pesos had been printed and all but 1,213 pesos in circulation.  (taken from Krause World Paper Money Catalogue)