Blaming the U.S.' "failure" to send more ground troops into Mailla on Gen. MacArthur is what to me proves the leftist perspective of the author.
Gen. MacArthur loved the Philippines. He was denied the proper resources to defend them from Japanese invasion by Washington, specifically ulber partisan Democrat Roosevelt, who feared a presidential challenge from MacArthur, and Roosevelt's handpicked successor, "Republican" Gen. Eisenhower. Even a PBS bio about MacArthur saw blatant politics in that move.
When MacArthur came to liberate the Philippines, he had substantial Naval and Marine resources, but few Army soldiers. Not knowing at the time whether a land invasion of Japan would be necessary, it's absurd to suggest that MacArthur should have expended his armies when aerial bombardment would suffice militarily. Yet the horrific arocities make quite plain that eliminating the Japanese presence was absolutely necessary. Allowing 30,000 to die while saving hundreds of thousands AND defeating the enemy who is committing such atrocities is the only sensible option. Be rest assured that MacArthur was anguished by any civilian casualty, whether inflicted by freindly fire, or Japanese savagery.
The Manillans there loved MacArthur, and this bonehead is angry that they did. But they were there, and they understood what was happening.