World War II markers proposed in every town covered by allied beachhead 72 years ago

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 10): World War II markers proposed in every town covered by allied beachhead 72 years ago

A son of a World War II veteran has proposed the putting of markers in every town in Pangasinan where the allied liberation forces landed on January 9, 1945 to begin the liberation of Luzon from the enemy.

Dr. Vicencio Villaflor Jr., son and namesake of Dr. Vicencio Villaflor Jr., who once served in the medical corp of Col. Windel Fertig of the Mindanao Command during World War II before migrating to Dagupan, said his suggestion is a middle of the road solution to the unsettled puzzle where General Douglas MacArthur first landed when he came to Pangasinan with his troops.

He said to finally settle the controversy, World War II markers should be put up in San Fabian, Dagupan, Binmaley and Lingayen where the allied liberation forces landed in a 20-mile (32-kilometer) beachhead that began at dawn of January 9, 1945 or 72 years ago.

To date, the honor on where Mac Arthur first set his foot when he began the liberation of the Philippines is being fiercely contested by Lingayen, Dagupan and San Fabian.

"As for me, I believe that every rank and file soldiers and officers, that set foot in the beach represented the 6th Army of General Water Krueger and under the command of General Mac Arthur. These soldiers all represented General Mac Arthur," Dr. Villaflor said.

He suggested that the markers should read: "On this hallowed ground in San Fabian, Dagupan, Binmaley and Lingayen, the soldiers of the 6th Army under General Walter Krueger under the command of General Douglas MacArthur landed to begin the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation and thus fulfill his promise: 'I shall return' to the Filipino people".
   
This, he said, will hopefully end the controversy on where General Mac Arthur first landed in Pangasinan that divided many people for decades so that they can finally move on.

This will encourage partnership with each neighboring areas for the rapid development of tourist attractions and make tourists come here to our beaches, he said.

A commission can help improve the services while civic spirited citizens are encouraged to come and help in this endeavor.

At the same time, Villaflor expressed belief that the word "I" in MacArthur's immortal phrase "I shall return" meant that he would come back to the Philippines with the full might of the American forces behind him, which he did in the early morning of January 9, 1945.

He said the markers that would be built must be protected from vandals so that they will not follow the markers earlier erected in some of these beaches that were either stolen or vandalized.
   
He cited the 1948 marker put up by the National Historical Commission (NHC) in Bonuan with the help of the Rotary Club of Dagupan marking the spot where soldiers of II Corps of the 6th Army under General Kriueger had already disappeared.

In 1984, Mayor Cipriano Manaois erected a monument /statue of General Mac Arthgur in the property of Capt. Moises Maramba in Bonuan, Dagupan City but is not so well kept and needs restoration.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=954009