Youth should realize significance of Liberation of Panay, says Army official

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 19): Youth should realize significance of Liberation of Panay, says Army official

The younger generation should be encouraged to know by heart the struggles and the gallantry of Filipino soldiers against the Japanese soldiers leading to the liberation of Panay on March 18, 1945.

“Our soldiers offered their lives, at ang ating tinatamong kalayaan ngayon ay utang na loob natin sa ating mga ninuno lalo na ng ating mga beterano,” Lt. Col. Aldwine Almase, Battalion Commander of the 82nd Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army said in a PIA interview.

LtC. Almase said that it is important for everyone to know the history of the country, how it struggled against foreign aggressors, and how it emerged as a nation.

Almase hopes that the commemoration of the Liberation of Panay observed March 18 of every year, will help imbibe the spirit of nationalism in the youth and likewise instilling values such as loyalty to the country.

The remaining veterans, their relatives, and various government officials observed the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Panay at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Jaro, Iloilo City.

March 18 of every year was declared a special non-working holiday by virtue of former President Corazon Aquino’s Proclamation No. 430 or "An Act Declaring March 18 of every year as Victory Day in the Islands of Panay and Romblon including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas" issued in 1989.

As stipulated in Proclamation No. 430, March 18 is of great historical and sentimental significance to both the veterans and the people of Panay and Romblon because it was the day when the Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=921363673517