A collection of ship replicas is turned over to defense and Pangasinan officials led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin (fourth from right) and Gov. Amado Espino Jr. (right). WILLIE LOMIBAO/CONTRIBUTOR
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Ailing World War II veterans were honored on Friday during the commemoration of the 70th Lingayen Gulf Landings and Veterans Day here.
The landings marked the return to the Philippines of the Allied Forces led by US Gen. Douglas MacArthur via Lingayen Gulf on Jan. 9, 1945, toward the end of the Pacific leg of World War II.
The Allied Forces liberated the country from the Japanese Imperial Army.
At least 70 of 664 living veterans attended the event, said Florence Nipales, administrative officer of the provincial social welfare and development office. In the last five years, more veterans have been sick or have died, she said.
Romeo Madriaga, regional head of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), said there were more than 15,000 World War II veterans in Pangasinan when his office first released pensions in 1990.
As of October last year, there were at least 664 living veterans in Pangasinan.
“Today, there may only be more than 500. The youngest of them are two veterans who are 83 years old, while three of them are centenarians, with the oldest now 104 years old,” Madriaga said.
During the celebration, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin awarded plaques of recognition to war veterans Nicolas Elegores, 100, Prudencio Sabado, 99, and Apolonio Millamina, 99.
The three veterans, and their colleagues who attended the affair, also received medallions of valor and cash from the provincial government.
“We are now also studying how we can help the veterans’ surviving families,” Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said.
The program was also attended by US Army Pacific deputy commander Maj. Gen. James Pasquarette, Australian defense attaché Col. Bruce Murray and PVAO deputy administrator Maj. Gen. Raul Caballes.
A 70-piece miniature replica of the US Navy ships at Lingayen Gulf on Jan. 9, 1945, was turned over to Espino. The miniature ship collection, which was donated by retired US Navy weatherman Russel Leon Sandlin, will be part of the exhibit at Veterans’ Park here.
Sandlin, whose grandfather and uncle were part of the troops who landed in Lingayen and Leyte province, first showcased his collection at the anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing last year.
In Dagupan City, MacArthur Park came alive on Friday when World War II veterans, city government officials and residents recalled the day 70 years ago when MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return. Reports from Gabriel Cardinoza and Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon