This Week’s Milestones: Oct. 22-28, 2017

Oct. 23, 1944

The Commonwealth government of the Philippines was reestablished by General Douglas MacArthur in Tacloban in Leyte province, with Sergio Osmeña as President.

Oct. 24, 1944

Filipino and American soldiers fought Japanese forces in Romblon province. Known as the “Battle of Sibuyan Sea,” it was the second of the four separate clashes of the “Battle of Leyte Gulf,” considered as one of the largest naval battles in history. The air assault of the American forces resulted in the sinking of the Japanese battleship Musashi. In October 2010, then President Benigno Aquino III declared Oct. 24 of every year as “Battle of Sibuyan Sea Day” to remember the fallen soldiers who fought for freedom.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, Official Calendar of the Republic, officialgazette.gov.ph, malacanang.gov.ph