THIS WEEK’S HISTORICAL MILESTONES Oct. 16 to 22

Barasoain Church

Oct. 16

The Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi, one of the world’s major nesting sites of marine turtles, is placed under Philippines jurisidiction in 1947. The islands, which share a porous border with Malaysia, has a population of 4,727 as of 2015.

Oct. 19

The Universidad Literaria de Filipinas, the seat of highest learning of the Malolos Republic, is established in 1898 in Malolos town in Bulacan province by virtue of a presidential decree. It is succeeded by the University of the Philippines in 1908.

Oct. 20

Gen. Douglas MacArthur lands in Palo town in Leyte province in 1944 with President Sergio Osmeña and the U.S. Forces, fulfilling his famous promise, “I shall return.” The landing marks the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces in the last days of World War II.

MacArthur Landing National Memorial Park

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, gov.ph, Historical Calendar (1521-1969)