Talisay to mark GI landing today with reenactment, wreath-laying activities
ABOUT 50 Philippine Marine soldiers and Navy Seals will reenact today the landing of American forces in World War II in Talisay City.
No American soldiers, however, would participate in the reenactment marking the 67th anniversary of the Talisay Landing.
The event marked the arrival of the Americal Division U.S. 8th Army led by Com. Gen. William Arnold on March 26, 1945, which paved the way for the liberation of Cebu from the Japanese invaders.
Filipino guerrillas of 8th Military District led by Lt. Col. James Cushing assisted the American forces in liberating Cebu.
More than 400 American soldiers died while 1,700 more were wounded during the battle for the Talisay City beachhead. About 500 Japanese soldiers died in that battle.
In today’s reenactment, the reservists from the 82nd Marine Battalion would act as the American soldiers while the Navy seals under the Naval Special Operations Unit (NAVSOU-5) would clear the beach head, said Ensign Joseph Ison, Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) spokesman.
The Navforcen will use two Philippine Navy ships, BRP Subanon and BRP Emilio Aguinaldo, which will provide gun fire support during the reenactment.
Instead of the Islander plane, Ison said, they would use one of the Huey helicopters of the 560th Tactical Helicopter Wing of the Philippine Air Force in the event.
The Huey helicopter will do a fly-by in the area and drop flowers.
Students from the Talisay City College will play the part of Japanese soldiers during the reenactment.
Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao said that Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu 1st district) and Central Command chief, Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, would attend today’s event.
Gullas and Capt. Ingemar Pernes, Navfocen acting chief, will lead the wreath-laying activity at the Talisay Liberation Park. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
