ILOILO City – Today marks the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Panay, Romblon and Guimaras islands from the Japanese Imperial Forces during World War 2.
Proclamation No. 430, signed by the late President Corazon C. Aquino, declared March 18 of every year a non-working holiday.
Panay Liberation Day, alternatively Panay Landing Day, commemorates the historic landing of the 40th Infantry Division, 8th US Army on Panay to help the Panay Guerilla Forces against the Japanese Imperial Forces during the Battle of the Visayas.
The Battle of the Visayas began on March 18, 1945 with the Allied landing in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
In line with this, the local government of Tigbauan will be having a series of activities including a “Pamukaw,” Liberation Day Run and Ride, motorboat competition, Tigbauan History Quiz Bee, and a program at the Panay Landing Memorial Landmark in Barangay Parara.
A short program will also be held today at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine, where guerrilla leader Colonel Macario Peralta was buried, in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro district.
It is the only military cemetery outside Metro Manila.
Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) deputy administrator, Assistant Secretary Restituto L. Aguilar, and Veterans Federation of the Philippines executive vice president, Major General Romeo D. Alamillo, will be the guests of honor.
PVAO undersecretary Reynaldo Mapago will also be present.
The ceremony opens with a Eucharistic ceremony, flag raising ceremony, and a pledge to the Philippine Flag.
A wreath-laying ceremony will follow at the graves of the 6th Military District Pylon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Wall of Memories, and graves of General Macario Peralta and wife Natividad.
One of the highlights of the program is the recognition and appreciation of 10 selected living World War II veterans.
There are only 25 living World War II veterans left, aged 94 to 104, in Panay and Guimaras, according to Veterans Assistance Officer 1 Glen Castañares.
Meanwhile, Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. said everyone should be mindful of the past and the fight the forefathers had to attain freedom from the hands of the oppressors and make it an inspiration.
“Dapat sa aton nga mga pamatan-on, we should know the struggle of our forefathers para lang makalab-ot kita sa nadangtan naton subong, and our fight still continues,” said Defensor.
He added although everyone has achieved freedom from colonizers, everyone still faces their struggles, just like the entire Philippines, which continues to fight poverty.
“History should be a reminder that up to now we are still fighting, the struggle is different but we are still fighting,” added Defensor.
On April 11, for the Holy Week celebration of the provincial government, there would be an exhibit highlighting historical events on how the province was founded.
“Sa bahin sang probinsya, we would give importance to the historical events that are related to the founding, or at least to the event that you can consider as the founding day of the province of Iloilo (April 11, 1901),” said Defensor./PN
