Luis Taruc (June 21, 1913 - May 4, 2005) was a Philippine Communist political figure and revolutionary. He was the leader of the Hukbalahap rebel group between 1942 and 1954. His involvement with the movement came after his initiation on the problems of agrarian Filipinos when he was a student in the early 1930s. Under his leadership, the Hukbalahap became a potent force combating the foreign aggressors during the Second World War. Taruc, together with 7 of his colleagues, were elected to the House of Representatives but were not allowed to take their seats in Congress driving them back to the hills. The Taruc faction opposed the parity rights that the U.S. wanted to enjoy post-independence Philippines. In the next 5 years, Taruc gave up on the parliamentary struggle and once more took up arms. At the height of its popularity , the Hukbalahap reached a fighting strength of 10,000 to 15,000. June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. ... 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A politician is an individual involved in politics, sometimes this may include political scientists. ... The Hukbalahap was the militant arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese occupation in the Philippines during World War II. The term is a contraction of the Filipino term Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon which means Peoples Army... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early life

He was born of peasant folks in the farming town of San Luis, Pampanga. He went to the University of Manila for a few years but returned to his hometown without getting a degree to set up a haberdashery. At this time he came under the influence of Pedro Abad Santos, a wealthy intellectual, and Juan Feleo, a peasant leader. They were the two leading lights of the emerging communist movement in the 1930's. At age 22,he became officially a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines, to which he would devote his life for the next 2 decades. Basta pogi siya. Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. ... University of Manila is a university in Manila, Philippines. ...

Legacy

In early 1954, Benigno Aquino Jr., then a news reporter, was appointed by president Ramon Magsaysay to act as personal emissary to Luis Taruc. After four months of negotiations, Taruc surrendered unconditionally to the government. This effectively ended what is now in Philippine history as the Huk rebellion. He was brought to court and sentenced to twelve years in prison. After his release, he continued to work for Agrarian reforms. His struggle for justice on behalf of the poor and oppressed farmers encouraged local and national leaders to push for changes in relations between landlord and farm workers and the equitable distribution of farm lands. Many of the issues that drove him and fellow Huk members to rebellion still prevail in many parts of the Philippines. 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Benigno Ninoy Simeon Aquino Jr. ... Ramón Magsaysay (August 31, 1907 - March 17, 1957) was the third President of the Third Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death. ...

It was said that after the death of Luis Taruc another one from the Taruc Blood Line will come to finish what "Ka Luis" has started. It was rumored that one who came from the Taruc Blood line has come. His name is Juan Antonio P. Taruc, son of Renato D. Taruc and Ma. Theresa P. Taruc.

References

• Zaide, Sonia M. (1999). The Philippines: A Unique Nation. All Nations Publishing.