IN THE KNOW

According to a brief biography posted on the website of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Wenceslao Q. Vinzons organized the first guerrilla unit in Bicol, the Citizen’s Army, and “later his own guerrilla unit” during World War II.

“Identified as one of the important enemies, the Japanese hunted him. He was captured on July 8, 1942, together with his father. He and his companions were paraded around the town of Labo (Camarines Norte),” it said.

Vinzons was asked to cooperate with the Japanese government but refused. “I have only three things to tell you,” he supposedly told the Filipino crowd in the presence of Japanese soldiers. “Plant! Plant! Plant!”

His speech angered his captors so he was brought to a garrison in Daet, the provincial capital.

“On July 15, 1942, Major Tsuneoka Noburo, the garrison commander, confronted Vinzons in a last attempt to enlist his services for the interests of Japan’s coprosperity sphere.”

Tsuneoka, according to historical accounts, hit Vinzon’s belly with a bayonet. “A Japanese corporal, Kuzumi Taiku, hit the helpless resistance leader with a rifle butt at the back of the head.”

Vinzons was killed together with his wife Liwayway, his father Gabino, sister Milagros, and two children, Aurora and Alexander, who could have been aged 8 and 7 years.

His three other children—Wenceslao Jr, Grace and Ravalona—were brought to another place and eventually survived.

The NHCP based Vinzons’ biography from the accounts of historians Teodoro Agoncillo, E. Arsenio Manuel and Carlos Quirino.

The Student Center of the University of The Philippines is found in Vinzons Hall, which was named after him.