Hukbalahap

Hukbalahap, or Huks (full name: Hukbong Magpapalayang Bayan, “People's Liberation Army”), Communist guerilla movement that posed a serious threat to the Philippine government from 1945 to 1954. Growing out of the wartime resistance movement against Japanese occupation, the Huks were chiefly disaffected peasants. Eventually the Huks were largely won over by a program of land reforms and settlement schemes. Much of the credit for the rehabilitation of the Huks goes to Ramón Magsaysay, who, mainly on the strength of the achievement, was elected president of the Philippines in 1953.

See also: Philippines.