World War II memorial unveiled in Iloilo
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 16:15:00 03/22/2008
ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- They were 1,421 faceless names like Second Lieutenant Jose Alba, Corporal Gabriel Falcis and Major Alberto Policarpio. But their names will forever be etched in honor on the Wall of Memory for those who died fighting for freedom during World War II.
The Wall of Memory was formally unveiled at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery and National Shrine in Jaro district here last Monday during rites commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the liberation of the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon.
The ceremonies were attended by defense department and military officials as well as war veteran associations and relatives of those who died fighting in the war.
The names of the Filipino guerrillas under the 6th Military District (6MD) who died fighting Japanese troops are etched in two walls made of granite.
The walls were erected behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and in front of the tombs of former senator and Ilonggo guerrilla leader Gen. Macario Peralta Jr. and his wife Natividad.
Peralta led the Free Panay Guerrilla Forces, which later became the 6MD. From his base in the mountains of Panay, he directed the resistance movement on the island and in Romblon and Guimaras.
Natividad helped the resistance movement by organizing the Women's Auxiliary Service, the precursor of the Women's Auxiliary Corps. She rallied women to give material and moral support to the guerillas.
Retired Colonel Cesar Hechanova, liaison officer and trustee of the 6MD Veterans Foundation Inc., said the erection of the wall was conceptualized during the construction of the national shrine.
"The ultimate gift that the country can ever bestow on her patriots (who gave up) their lives for freedom is perhaps to perpetuate their memory in an appropriate memorial," said Hechanova.
Hechanova said that aside from the etched names of the patriots, a bas relief mural depicting significant events of the war will be installed on the other side of the Wall.
The construction of the walls, each measuring 8x20 feet and costing around P350,000, was funded by the Department of National Defense and with contributions and donations.
Hechanova said it took at least four years researching reports from the field and historians to come up with the list of names to be included in the memorial.
"It was a difficult task because some of the names were handwritten or misspelled causing duplications," he told the Inquirer.
The list does not include casualties during the first bombing by Japanese planes of Iloilo City on December 18, 1941 where many reservists were killed at Camp Delgado.
But Hechanova said that with the construction of the Wall, those who died fighting for freedom will be given the honor and recognition that they deserve.
|
