THE ALWAYS MISSING TARUC

From school year 1950 to 1956, i had a classmate named Lamberto.  It was noted to be always missing in class especially during the early hours of the day wherein roll calls of pupils were done.  But, out of nowhere, he would report to the class.  Because of this, his reputation grew as always a missing person.  He was popularly known as Taruc, instead of his true name.

But, who was Taruc?  He was the founder  and supremo of the dissident movement in the 50’s known as Huks or Hukbalahap or Hukbong Mapagpalaya Laban sa Hapon.  They became outlaws because they fought against the Japanese army but was not recognize by other Americans or the Philippines.  They roamed the countryside from after the war to 1950’s.

Luis Taruc, the leader of the Huks was always hiding from military authorities.  He was always in the mountain and would only surface only if he battled with the military.  The Huks became a national threat to the country.

Luis Taruc, later surrendered to the then President Magsaysay who he learned was sympathetic to their cause.

Lamberto became our Taruc for six years.  His classmates and even his neighbours called him Taruc – Dont look for Lamberto.  Almost always they did not knowlamberto.  But try Taruc.

Where he is now, we don’t know.