Known as an enlightened man, Honma also commanded the invasion of the Philippines. As professor Tai Kuo-hui of NTCU explains: "When Honma was fighting desperately in the Philippines, he thought of the remarkable abilities of the Volunteers, able to" run barefoot through the mountain jungles, and pierce the night with the power of their eyes. "
這位向有開明之名的軍官，其時正指揮菲律賓攻略戰，「當本間在菲律賓做困獸鬥時，他腦中想起的是『赤足奔跑險山叢林又身具深夜能肉眼視』的高砂義勇隊」，專治台灣史多年的政治大學教授戴國輝也說。