Uniting against tyranny in the Philippines' darkest years

How did people from different races, bound by a shared bloodline and language, unite when the Philippines fell under the brutal grip of Japanese occupation during World War II?And what do their sacrifices, forged through common heritage and struggle, reveal about the power of unity against the forces of fascism and imperialism?

During the dark days of World War II, the Philippines became a battleground not just of armies, but of ideologies. As the Japanese Imperial Army occupied the archipelago from 1942 to 1945, resistance forces—Filipino, Chinese, and Chinese-Filipino—rose together to defend the country. While the American forces played a crucial role in ending the invasion, fighting alongside the locals and sacrificing their lives, it was the long-time residents—united by shared blood, language, and a sense of national pride—who bore the brunt of the struggle. Their resistance was not only a fight for freedom but a historic display of unity against fascism and imperial aggression.

The current and next generations should understand that, regardless of race, humans will unite against a common oppressor. This is not just about remembering history or commemorating past struggles; it is about recognizing the enduring power of solidarity in the face of adversity, should such an event arise again.

This listicle revisits key moments of this joint resistance, focusing on the strength of camaraderie and the legacy they left behind.

1. The Wha-Chi Guerrilla Unit: Chinese-Filipino Fighters Take Up Arms

Formed in September 1942, the Wha-Chi (short for Wah-Chong) guerrilla unit became a prominent force of Chinese-Filipino resistance during the Japanese occupation. Operating in areas like Central Luzon, the Bicol region, and parts of Southern Tagalog, this group was composed of young Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Filipino residents who organized and trained in secret. Fighting alongside Filipino groups like the Hukbalahap, they engaged in ambushes, sabotage, and intelligence missions aimed at weakening Japanese control. The unit’s anti-fascist mission earned them the support of many locals, creating a united front against occupation.

2. The Anti-Japanese League and Underground Networks in Manila

Starting in early 1942, as the Japanese army solidified its grip on Manila, Chinese-Filipino communities in Binondo, Tondo, Santa Cruz, and Sampaloc established underground networks of resistance. Community leaders and youth activists created the Anti-Japanese League (Kang-Jih Lienmeng Hui), which focused on humanitarian support for guerrillas, spreading anti-Japanese messages, and preserving Chinese cultural identity amid oppression. These networks operated under constant threat from the Japanese Kempeitai, who carried out mass arrests and executions in response to underground activity. Despite the risks, the networks flourished, creating a silent but powerful resistance within the capital.

3. The Hukbalahap and Cross-Ethnic Solidarity in Central Luzon

The Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) was established in March 1942 in Central Luzon, particularly in provinces like Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. This Filipino-led guerrilla movement welcomed fighters from all backgrounds, including Chinese and Chinese-Filipino members who shared the group's anti-fascist ideals. Chinese-Filipino guerrillas trained and fought alongside Filipino peasants and workers, pushing back against Japanese military patrols and establishing liberated zones. Their cooperation went beyond the battlefield, as they shared food, shelter, and ideological teachings about resistance and national sovereignty.

4. The Liberation of Bicol

By 1944, in the Bicol region—especially in Camarines Sur and Albay—Chinese guerrillas began playing a crucial role in the liberation efforts. Many of them were linked to earlier organizing in Manila or had relocated due to Japanese crackdowns. These fighters joined forces with Filipino guerrillas in ambushing Japanese convoys, gathering intelligence, and sabotaging military outposts. Their participation in the final year of the war contributed to the liberation of the region by mid-1945. The cooperation between Chinese and Filipino resistance units highlighted the widespread desire to expel foreign occupation, regardless of ethnicity.

5. Commemorating Solidarity

Photo from the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian

Following Japan’s surrender in 1945, the contributions of Chinese and Chinese-Filipino resistance fighters were commemorated through monuments, memorials, and cemetery tributes, especially at the Manila Chinese Cemetery. These efforts continue to this day. On April 1, 2025, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian joined Chinese-Filipino community members to pay tribute to resistance heroes. In his speech, he reminded the audience that 2025 marks 80 years since the world’s victory against fascism, and that Filipino, Chinese, and Chinese-Filipino fighters once stood “side by side, shoulder to shoulder” against Japanese aggression. Ambassador Huang honored heroes like Yang Guang Shen, who chose death over capture, and emphasized that remembering their sacrifice strengthens the enduring friendship between China and the Philippines.