William J. Pomeroy

William J. Pomeroy (November 25, 1916 – January 12, 2009) was an American communist, poet, author, and ghostwriter, who served the American army in the Pacific during World War II. He had a connection with the Philippine guerillas during the war, supplying them with materials. He also organized a protest against the decision of the U.S. government to treat the guerillas as enemies. He married Celia Mariano, a Filipina who was a member of the Hukbalahap in 1948.

In 1952, he and Celia were captured by government forces at Sitio Talba, Barrio Pias, Papaya (now General Tinio), Nueva Ecija in the Sierra Madre in the Philippines. They were given a life sentence, but were released in 1962, although Celia was refused a passport. Pomeroy began to campaign, including lobbying Bertrand Russell and Graham Greene. The fight was successful but the Pomeroys were denied entry to the US, so instead settled in England. Pomeroy, as stated by cables in 1952, was a technical sergeant.

Involvement in the Huk rebellion At the time of the 1949 nationwide elections, Pomeroy joined the Huks, He was reported being marched out of the mountains, with his captors brought with him a confiscated typewriter. After three days, they reached Manila for him to meet defense secretary Ramon Magsaysay.

Mariano, who escaped to the mountains with four others at the time of Pomeroy's capture, Pomeroy later renounced communism. Magsaysay, in his U.S. visit in mid-June, reported that after Pomeroy's capture, there were three of four other Americans still with the Huks; and indicated the national government would not deport him who wanted to stay in the country.

On June 7, the couple was charged in the Court of First Instance of Manila with rebellion

The order, however, was reversed by the SC on February 24, 1960, stating that the couple must serve their original prison term for taking part of the Huk rebellion, and that its 1958 ruling is not applicable for them because it is not retroactive. On December 29, 1961, the couple was reported pardoned by Garcia (whose presidential term was to end) They were released on December 31. Pomeroy was given 30 days for his departure, and was later held in Manila port area.

Pomeroy was later deported to the United States. There, he failed to persuade the authorities to grant his wife a visa, while at the same time she was unable to get a Philippine passport.

Personal life At the time of his departure in Manila, Pomeroy, being six feet in height and had black eyes, was also described as strong and had good posture. He also published a collection of short stories, Trail of Blame, and poetry: Beyond Barriers and Sonnets for Celia (1963), the latter comprising love poems for his wife composed while they were in prison. He served as the ghostwriter for the autobiography of Luis Taruc, a leader of the Hukbalahap group, titled Born of the People (1953).