ILOILO City – For the second straight year, the celebration of Panay Liberation Day is muted due to the raging coronavirus disease pandemic. But the historic event must nevertheless be remembered “to perpetuate the heroic deeds of World War 2 veterans,” according to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO).
On March 18, 1945, the Free Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese occupation forces coinciding with the landing of the American Liberation Forces in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
May today’s celebration, despite its lack of pomp and pageantry due to the pandemic, also inspire the Ilonggo youth “nga mangin future heroes,” said Heitrid Firmantes of PSVAO’s Veterans Memorial and Historical Division.
Panay Liberation Day is alternatively known as Panay Landing Day or Victory (Liberation) Day on Panay.
Guimaras was included in the celebration because it was part of Iloilo province in 1989 when then President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 430 declaring March 18 of every year as “Victory Day in the islands of Panay and Romblon, including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas.”
On Dec. 8, 1941, several hours after the Empire of Japan attacked the US’ Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, they attacked the American colony of the Philippines, eventually defeating the combined American and Philippine forces and beginning nearly four years of Japanese occupation.
On Oct. 20, 1944, American and Filipino forces led by General Douglas MacArthur landed on Leyte during the Battle of Leyte, liberating the island of Leyte and beginning the successful Philippine campaign of 1944–1945.
As part of that campaign, the Battle of the Visayas began on March 18, 1945 with the Allied landing in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
According to PVAO, Iloilo was where the country had the most successful resistance movement during the war against the Japanese invading forces.
The success of the movement here was boosted by the supportive political leadership. General Macario Peralta provided the military leadership and Tomas Confessor, governor during that period, provided political leadership.
COMMEMORATION AMID PANDEMIC
Today, there’s going to be a simple celebration at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro district, Firmantes told Panay News.
The Balantang Memorial Cemetery is the only military cemetery outside Metro Manila. It was declared a national shrine in 1994.
“We have to follow minimum health protocols because of the pandemic,” she stressed.
At 7 a.m., there will be a flag-raising ceremony to be led by Veteran Hannibal Lipardo, regional president of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines in Region 6, and Veteran Antonio Lim Jr., post president of the Veterans Village Veterans Post.
It will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony and a Holy Mass.
Attendees will include Veteran Federation Officers, PVAO personnel, shrine personnel, and representatives from the Philippine Veterans Bank.
Four tombs will be laid wreaths:
* Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
* Tomb of General Macario Peralta
* Tomb of Legionaire Natividad Peralta
* Wall of Memories
No local officials were invited as guests should be limited, Firmantes said.
They also discouraged World War II veterans from joining the commemoration, “bilang konsiderasyon sang ila edad, especially nga may COVID-19 pandemic.”
To ensure social distancing, only 50 attendees are expected to join.
IN TIGBAUAN TOWN, TOO
At 7:30 a.m. there will be a wreath laying activity before the Panay Landing Memorial marker in Barangay Parara, Tigbauan, Iloilo.
According to Tigbauan historians Jessie Terre and Eugenio Torrento III, thousands of Americans troops landed on the shores of Parara on March 18, 1945.
“Tigbauan was in the hands of the Japanese during World War 2. With the aid of American forces, the guerillas were able to drive the Japanese away from our beloved ancestral lands,” they said.
“The Panay Landing Memorial marker in Barangay Parara serves as a tribute to commemorate the bravery and heroism of Panay guerillas,” they added.
BALANTANG SHRINE OPENS TO PUBLIC
In another development, Firmantes announced that the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine is now open to the public.
It has been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Firmantes, a shrine curator, they are accepting walk-in guests from Monday to Sunday.
“Kon educational tour naman, dapat nga maghimu anay sang reservation,” she added.
Inside the shrine were the following:
* Pylon – It stands tall at the center of the shrine with a marker from the National Historical Institute dedicating the monument to Panay and Romblon freedom fighters.
* The Wall of Memories – These are two identical structures where the names of 1,421 Filipinos who gave their lives in the Pacific War are inscribed (on black granite).
* Peralta Hall – The administration office and lounge for veteran-guests; named after General Macario Peralta Jr.
* The Resting Place – tombs of the unknown soldiers who fought during World War II
* Memorial Cemetery Museum – features World War 2 vintage firearms, mortars, photographs, and situation maps./PN
