12 WWII veterans cited in Victory Day celebration

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 15): 12 WWII veterans cited in Victory Day celebration

Twelve World War II heroes in Northern Luzon were cited during the Victory Day celebration in this municipality.

Keynote speaker Brig. General Allan Martin of the Philippine Army led the awarding of plaques and pinning of medals to the 12 WWII veterans in recognition to their contributions that led to the surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita to American and Filipino troops on September 2, 1925 in this town.

 The honorees are 2nd  Lt Romeo Lim-ang,  Staff Sergeant Lorenzo  Pakinkin Sr, Private First Class Marcelo Munar and Estigoy Sison, Privates  Ogao Abag,  Luis Carabacan, Jeronimo Codamon,  Benito Annoque, Teofilo Gano, Bunoy Gano, Nena Masferre and Fangsosot Tangkawan,

The contributions of these awardees during the war are made part of a glorious chapter in the history of the Philippines and will be etched forever in the rich history of the Philippines. Hopefully it will serve as an inspiration to the youth of this generation, to love and serve the country and to fight for peace and freedom at all cost.

Martin commended the awardees and other individuals who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the province and the country as a whole.

Ifugao Congressman Teddy Baguilat  Jr. stressed that there can only be peace when there is justice, and there can only be justice when freedoms and liberties are intact. He added that freedom is indeed worth fighting for, and true progress can only happen under a regime where people are free to think and to act, without doing harm to other people.

Baguilat announced that he filed a bill in Congress declaring September 2 as a non-working holiday in the country considering its importance to the country’s history.

 For his part, Governor Pedro Mayam-o reiterated that the new challenge today is not anymore the battle of guns but the battle against corruption and drugs affecting the country. He enjoined all "Immipugos" (Ifugaos) to work for a corrupt-free and drug- free province and country as a whole to achieve genuine development.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/161473906141/-12-wwii-veterans-cited-in-victory-day-celebration