World War 2 commemorative march scheduled on April 11

RELIVE the uncommon valor of the Filipino freedom fighters during World War 2 as the country observes the 75th anniversary of the infamous Death March on April 11.

Dubbed Capas Freedom March, the event retraces the last miles of the fateful day where more than 76,000 Filipino and American troops where forced by the Japanese Imperial Army to walk from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.

From there, they were hauled into train coaches to Camp O’Donell in Capas, Tarlac. Only 54,000 reached the camp as some 10,000 died along the road in the 106-kilometer ordeal. Thousands more died until 1945 due to famine, diseases and poor sanitation.

Themed “March For A Veteran,” the event is now on its third year and is co-organized by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) and the Department of National Defense — Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, and co-presented by the Department of Tourism and the Tourisms Promotion Board in partnership with the Province of Tarlac and the Municipality of Capas.

Former President Fidel Ramos will again be the keynote speaker and will lead the 10-kilometer march set on April 11 from the People’s Park to the Capas National Shrine at 4 a.m.

Joining him as guests of honor are PVAO administrator Lt. Gen. (ret) Ernesto Carolina, Tarlac Governor Susan Yap-Sulit, Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan, and former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor. According to AAP President Augusto Lagman, war veterans, their families and friends, socio-civic groups, government employees, military personnel, AAP members and volunteers will join the march to immortalize the sacrifice of the freedom fighters.

He said that this year’s edition is unique as it integrates CFM with two other PVAO-sanctioned events — the Bataan Freedom Run and the Padyak para sa Kagitingan.

Now collectively known as the Mariveles San Fernando Capas Freedom Trail, it is the biggest Death March commemorative activity which seeks to promote freedom, world peace and international goodwill. He added that the March is the country’s national auto club’s way of promoting domestic tourism through motoring by visiting historic spots to help Filipinos learn from the lessons of the past.

Also supported by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Philippine Retirement Authority, San Miguel Corp., Manila North Tollways Corp., Globe, Philippine Airlines, and the Philippine Veterans Bank, with ABS-CBN Sports + Action, ANC, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Business Mirror as media partners. Registration fee is P200 for schools and local government units, P250 for individuals and P300 for corporate participants. Proceeds will go to the construction of the Capas Concentration Camp Replica and scholarship grants to children of soldiers killed in the line of duty.