THE gallantry and heroism of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought in World War II will be honored during the 76th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor in Bataan today, Monday.
The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office said President Rodrigo Duterte will be the guest of honor and speaker during the commemoration.
When the Japanese invaded the Philippines on Dec. 8, 1941, they thought they would conquer the country in less than a month, but they underestimated the heroism and sacrifices of the Filipino and American defenders who held their ground in Bataan. The fighting actually lasted for three months and two days.
The delay altered the war plan of the Japanese Imperial Army to conquer the countries in Asia. It also enabled Gen. Douglas McArthur, commander of the US forces in the Philippines, to undertake a daring escape to Australia aboard a torpedo boat on his way to the United States, where he planned a counter attack to retake the Philippines to fulfill his promise to the Filipino people that “I shall return.”
Meanwhile, guerrilla forces were organized across the archipelago to continue the war against the Japanese.
And when Bataan surrendered on April 9, 1942, some 60,000 Filipino and American troops were taken prisoners by the Japanese. They were made to walk some 112 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan, to Capas, Tarlac, under a scorching sun with no food or water for days, and in what is now known the world over as the “Death March.”
Some 18,000 Filipino soldiers and 650 Americans died during the “Death March” due to exhaustion or were either shot or bayoneted to death.
But for the next three years Filipino and American guerrilla forces continued the fight against the highly superior Japanese Imperial Army.
On Oct. 20, 1944, McArthur fulfilled his promise to return when he led US and allied forces and made a triumphant landing in Palo, Leyte, to liberate the Philippines.
The Japanese were clobbered and forced to retreat, but they were pursued wherever they went.
A week later, the USS Submarine Gar (206) transported guns, ammunition and other logistics to the Filipino guerrillas in northern Luzon fighting the remaining Japanese forces until they were crushed and forced Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita and his men to surrender. PNA