The Nucleus of the Modern Philippine Army

Jose, Ricardo Trota. Philippine Army, 1935-1942. Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1998.

Abstract

This book review aims to examine and analyze the work of Ricardo Trota Jose, Philippine Army, 1935-1942. A highly regarded Filipino military historian, Dr. Jose examines the history of the Philippine Army during the Commonwealth era, leading to the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific. His work on this topic is one of the first books of its kind, since unlike other historical works written by Filipino and American historians and scholars, the author focused primarily on the development and buildup of the Philippine Army from its inception in 1935 to the outbreak of the War. This nascent army, with the full backing of the Commonwealth government with the assistance and leadership of its commander, Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur, was meant to be the first line of defense by the time the Philippines gained its independence in 1945. Beyond the military organization and planning, Ricardo Jose also included the factors that affected the growth of the army, and he provided both praise and criticism, whether they were Filipino or American officials. From interservice rivalry among the ranks of the Philippine Army and Constabulary, the insufficient budget, and the mistrust between Filipino and American officials, Jose’s work on the Philippine Army during the pre-World War II era, which utilized primary sources from both Filipino and American accounts cemented his reputation as the author of the first comprehensive study of the topic upon its publication.