This week’s historical milestones
June 11, 1978
Kalayaan, also known as Freedom Islands, was proclaimed a town in Palawan province by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1596 signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos. Covering five islands, two sandbars and two reefs, Kalayaan was created to assert the Philippines’ claim to the disputed Spratlys chain of islands, where it lies. The municipality has 335 registered voters, as of 2016.
June 13, 1950
Mindoro province was divided into the provinces of Oriental Mindoro (located on the east) and Occidental Mindoro (located on the west) by virtue of Republic Act No. 505. Mindoro came from the Spanish term mina de oro or gold mine, a natural resource the province is known for.
June 14, 1945
Japanese forces led by Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur province, lost to Filipino and American soldiers in the “Battle of Bessang Pass.” It is considered the greatest Filipino victory in World War II.
—Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, Department of Tourism, kalayaanpalawan.gov.ph, or mindoro.gov.ph, pvao.mil.ph, gov.ph
