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[av_heading heading=’LIBERATION OF PANAY | ‘Let us not forget our war veterans’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Saturday, March 18, 2017
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ILOILO City – Today, Ilonggos commemorate the 72nd Liberation of Panay – a public holiday in the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon.
March 18, 1945 had historical and sentimental significance to war veterans and the people of Panay and Romblon. It was the day when Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces during World War 2.
Guimaras was included in the celebration because it was part of Iloilo province in 1989 when then President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 430, “An Act Declaring March 18 of every year as Victory Day in the Islands of Panay and Romblon including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas.”
The Ilonggo veterans’ sacrifices and courage should not be forgotten, stressed Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog during the 13th Iloilo Veterans Memorial Day yesterday at the Iloilo provincial capitol grounds – a prelude to today’s celebration at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro district.
“Most of the veterans we honor today were boys and girls when they fought, suffered and when they made the ultimate sacrifice for Iloilo. They actually gave up two lives – the one they were living at that time, and the one they would have lived. Those who died never experienced the freedom they fought to gain, also gave up their chance to be husbands, wives, fathers and mothers or even grandfathers and grandmothers,” said Mabilog.
Today’s celebration will be highlighted by the distribution wheelchairs, canes and other benefits to the veterans and their surviving spouses, according to Janette Faderan, head of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Western Visayas Field Service Extension Office.
Five veterans who have reached the age of 100 years old will also be given certificates and incentives.
Mabilog urged the young generation to “continue the peace and freedom” that the veterans fought for the Ilonggos.
“Let the memory and the importance of this day be engraved in our hearts and minds. Iloilo must not forget our veterans ever,” said Mabilog.
On the other hand, Retired Lieutenant General Ernesto Carolina, administrator of the PVAO, said Iloilo is one of a “very few” areas in the country where war veterans are remembered.
“It is here in Iloilo where we have the most successful resistance movement in the Philippines during the war against the Japanese,” he said.
Carolina pointed out that 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, he added.
More than a hundred of the little more than 8,000 World War 2 guerillas still alive are from Iloilo, said Carolina.
“There is nothing that we can do to fully repay them. Maybe the least that we can do is make sure that the self-sacrifice, the patriotism, the love for country that they have displayed during the Second World War will be imbibed by our young people,” he emphasized.
Commander Claro Daulo Sr., president of the 6th Military District World War II Veterans Association, Inc., said 1,421 veterans from Panay Island died defending the country. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
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