The Huk Rebellion: A Study of Peasant Revolt in the Philippines

by Benedict J. Kerkvliet

Newly available with an updated bibliographic essay, this highly acclaimed work explores the Huk rebellion, a momentous peasant revolt in the Philippines. Unlike prevailing top-down analysis, Kerkvliet seeks to understand the movement from the point of view of its participants and sympathizers. He argues that seeing a peasant revolt through the eyes of those who rebelled explains and clarifies the actions of people who otherwise might appear irrational. Drawing on a rich array of documents and in-depth interviews with peasants and rebel leaders, the author provides definitive answers to the causes of the rebellion, the goals of the rebels, and the process of resistance.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Military Fiction

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tries to set the record straight on a peasant rebellion which occurred after WWII in the Philippines. Instead of relying, as previous historians did, on U.S. and Philippine govt documents and the writings of Communists loosely associated with the rebellion, Kerkvliet interviews members at all levels of the rebellion.

While his prose is tremendously flat, Kerkvliet ethos as a chronicler seems rather unimpeachable. He goes to show us that the rebellion was not, as previously asserted, something planned and lead by the Commies, but something which occurred as a result of pre-WWII peasant organizing and post-WWII abuses by landlords and the Philippine military. Of course because there were a few communists at the upper-levels of the rebellion (which rank and file members often flat-out ignored), the whole thing was linked to the international Communist conspiracy and the U.S. happily pumped the Philippines full of arms and military know how in order to crush a rebellion that started because landlords were asking their tenants to choose between starving and going into massive debt.

Real economic hardship and injustice usually lies at the heart of mass resistance movements. Portraying these movements as created and driven by a distasteful ideology is an easy way to perpetuate these injustices.j

Also, mad props to Kerkvliet for heavily quoting his sources--so one gets, loosely, the texture of what people are saying.

[iorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing review of the history of peasant struggle in the Philippines. With interviews from various Huk veterans, peasant leaders, as well as sources from various PKP documents, the book clearly and comprehensively discussed the history of the Huks and the overall peasant movement through the lens of those who actually took part of it.