This is a feature series focusing on Pasuquinos who made a difference in our lives by their pioneering actions, leaving a clearer path for the rest of us to journey on.
1st Sergeant Pablo Edrozo Sr. (Philippine Scouts)
Citation – For organizing surviving Pasuquin veterans to form a group that served as a buffer between the feared “Pilpilmi” guerillas and the civilian population during World War ll, for organizing the Gen. Vicente Lim Post No. 14 of the American Legion after the war, and for helping the survivors of veterans prepare their claims for their benefits.
Sgt. Edrozo was the leader of the Pasuquin guerillas composed of Philippine Scouts, Philippine Constabulary, Commonwealth Philippine Army, all survivors of earlier campaigns, and retired and former members of the Philippine Scouts, and the U.S. Navy.
When the surviving veterans were released from the different POW camps, Sgt. Edrozo organized them into an underground group. The group made contacts with other underground units around the province and regularly received ” Voice of America” broadcasts. The group later got in touch with a “Pilpilmi” unit known for its ruthlessness, and together they made “Binerek”, a sitio about three kilometers south of the poblacion, their headquarters.
Because of his closeness with Capt. Soria, leader of the Pilpilmi group and a Philippine Scout comrade, Sgt. Edrozo saved the town from “Pilpilmi” atrocities similar to what happened to Burgos and Bangui, which the “Pilpilmi” burned. He also obtained the release of two ranking Pasuquin teachers kept prisoners by the “Pilpilmi”, and confined under a house adjacent to the headquarters. At least one woman, a sister of one of those executed by the “Pilpilmi” was taken by Sgt. Edrozo on protective custody. By “planting” a Philippine Scout soldier, Mr. Teodoro Risalvo, as a chief of police of the puppet municipal government, Mr. Edrozo reduced to a minimum the amount of food supplies the town gave to the Japanese garrison. Mr. Risalvo and the Municipal Secretary, Mr. Carmelo Garduque, worked in close cooperation.
In 1957, through the American Legion, which he organized and headed until his death in 1991, his house (Brgy 2, NE corner Aguirre St. & National Hwy) was an office where he helped the survivors of deceased soldiers prepare their claims for their benefits without compensation. For almost three decades, because of the American Legion, Pasuquin enjoyed the distinct honor of being the center of Veterans activities in the province.