Panay island, Guimaras, Romblon commemorate 79th ‘Victory Day’
ILOILO City – Today, World War II veterans and their family members will gather to commemorate the 79th Victory Day of the islands of Panay and Romblon, including the island of Guimaras.
In this city, a solemn program will be held at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine ( BMCNS) in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro district, the only military cemetery established outside Metro Manila t hat was declared a national shrine in 1994.
The gathering is organized by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office ( PVAO)- Field Service Extension Office Iloilo.
Glen Castañares, Veterans Assistance Officer II, designated head of PVAOIloilo, disclosed this during a recent Philippine Information Agency talk.
There will be wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the tombs of General Macario Peralta and his wife, Legionaire Natividad Peralta, and the Wall of Memories.
There will also be a flag-raising ceremony, a recognition of the nine living World War II veterans, and the giving of posthumous awards to four others.
“We will give them recognition and acknowledgment for their bravery and their heroism. So, gaan naton sila award for that day together with four other awardees who will receive the posthumous award,” said Castañares.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is the guest of honor.
Castañares encouraged students and youth, among others, to attend the program and learn a part of the history.
“This will be a very good opportunity for you to appreciate and l earn about our history. Sa tanan nga students, we invite you to see and participate in our program,” he said.
What is the Importance of Celebrating Victory Day?
Castañares explained that March 18 is the symbol of the liberation of Panay island and Romblon from the Japanese Imperial Forces during World War II.
From December 8, 1941 up to 1945, the Philippines was under the occupation of the Japanese forces.
One of the strategies of Douglas MacArthur, an American military leader, was to liberate Panay island to have a passageway for supplies from America to enter the Luzon area via Leyte.
“Freeing t he Visayan water is very significant, I would say strategic, para mahapusan ang Filipino Guerilla Forces combined with American forces nga magdulong sang supply halin sa Leyte pakadto sa Luzon,” explained Castañares.
On March 18, 1945, American forces made a landing at Barangay Parara, Tigbauan, Iloilo, and combined forces with Panay Guerillas headed by General Macario Peralta to fight the Japanese imperial army.
On July 21, 1989, the late President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 430, declaring the 18th day of March of every year as Victory Day in the islands of Panay and Romblon, including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas, which shall be observed therein as a nonworking special day.
“Whereas, the Free Panay Guerilla Forest, 6th Military District, composed of the officers and men of the 61st Division Philippine Army, who preferred continuing the fight to surrendering after the fall of Bataan, together with those of other units of the United States Army Forces in the Far East and the civilian volunteers from all walks of life — lawyers, doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, fishermen, farmers, and students, who joined the underground resistance
movement, were harassed and sabotaged. And decimated the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces on the islands of Panay and Romblon throughout World War II in the name of country, freedom, and democracy.”
The Proclamation No. 430 added; “March 18, 1945 is of great historical and sentimental significance to both the veterans of the 6th Military District and the people of Panay and Romblon because it was the day when the Free Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Occupation Forces, coinciding with the landing of the American Liberation Forces at the Tigbauan beach, as prearranged between Col. Macario Peralta, founder and overall commander of the Free Panay Guerilla Forces, and Lt. General Robert L. Eichelberger, commanding general of the 8th United States Army.”/