Valiant stand of PHL, US forces against Japanese in WWII highlights value of freedom

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 5): Valiant stand of PHL, US forces against Japanese in WWII highlights value of freedom

With the official opening of Veterans Week with the sunrise and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Saturday, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that remembering the valiant stand made by Filipino and American forces against the Japanese invaders highlight how much the two allies value freedom.

In his speech delivered by DND undersecretary Honorio Azcueta, Gazmin said the annals of World War II and the defense of Bataan and Corregidor are replete with rich memories on the epic struggle of both Filipino and American soldiers in the defense of freedom and liberty.

"It relates the tale of their courage and bravery against the foreign invaders and the enemies of territorial sovereighty and desecrators of human freedom and dignity," the DND chief emphasized.

"It was a revelation of the heroism of the Philippine Scouts and the United States Army Forces in the Far East who bravely fought against the formidable might of the Japanese Imperial Army," he added.

The DND chief said that in that war theater, the deep friendship of the two real allies, the Filipino and American soldiers, was affirmed.

"Together they shed their sweat, their tears, and their blood in the defense of freedom and liberty in our beloved native land," Gazmin stressed.

During that conflict, Filipino and American soldiers, despite overwhelming odds, displaced the tenacity of the will of the badly beaten but unbowed soldiers.

"Captured from the shelter of Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor, their ordeal progressed into the infamous 'Death March', where they endured the worst punishment from the ruthless enemy," the DND chief pointed out.

"They were physically vanquished but never spiritually conquered. One of the survivors of that 97-kilometer march was a USAFFE artillery by the name of Capt. Segundo Gazmin, Sr. Incidentally, he is my father and it is in equal manner that I humbly share the wounded feelings of the sons and daughters of his comrade-veterans," he added.

And by remembering the sacrifices of these brave men, Gazmin said that the country should take time to thank the courage, valor, patriotism of the Filipino and American soldiers who have fought heroically, despite the long odds, in defense of the Philippines.

"From their heroic deeds, we became the beneficiaries of their legacy. So that until this day we continue to live under the blessing of peace, freedom, and democracy. We must thank them for their supreme sacrifice of their lives, their ultimate offering of their deep love of our country and the highest ideals of freedom, liberty and democracy," Gazmin concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=632749