PHL to commemorate 70th anniversary of Battle of Bessang Pass Sunday

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 13): PHL to commemorate 70th anniversary of Battle of Bessang Pass Sunday

The nation will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass, Ilocos Sur tomorrow (June 14).

This resulted in the defeat of the Imperial Japanese Army units commanded by Gen. Tomoyuki "Tiger of Malaya" Yamashita and led to his retreat and eventual surrender in Kiangan, Ifugao to Filipino and American forces.

Bessang Pass is the site of last and most ferocious battle between the Filipino guerrillas and the Japanese forces that transpired during the World War II --it started on June 1 and culminated in June 14, 1945.

Located in Barangay Malaya, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, Bessang Pass is a strategic gap with an altitude of 5,250 feet above sea level that serves as a gateway to the Cordillera mountains and Baguio City.

The victory at Bessang Pass was brought about by the gallantry of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL) guerrillas, who, for over three years, never gave up their dream of retaking the Bessang Pass from the formidable enemy well entrenched in the mountain fortress, and once and for all win freedom for the country.

A commemorative program will be held at the Bessang Pass Memorial Shrine in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur this Sunday at 9 a.m. where survivors of the battle will be awarded for their valor and service to the country.

These veterans from the provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur include Samson Valdez Del Rosario, Leonardo Reyes Garrino, David Esteban Pascua, Marcos Mangac Timidan, Emiliano Gapacan Padac, Hilario Hufano Nisperos, Marcos Gapuz Misanes, Jose Flores Tadifa, Enrique Urbanes Malag, Vicente Ecolin Elefante, Eulogio Delfino Rocca and woman veteran Trinidad Bibangco Galutan, all 90 years old and above.

World War II veterans who will be given awards will also be given ambulatory device such as wheelchairs and walking canes.

As part of the celebration, a mural depicting the Battle of Bessang Pass will also be unveiled by the family of the late Gen. Emilio M. Narcise who heroically led the final assault at Bessang Pass and placed a makeshift flag on atop the mountain fortress upon the retreat of the enemy.

His son, Dr. Audie Narcise and other members of their family will grace the event.

Aside from the program, the celebration will have a cycling tour spearheaded by the Ilocos Sur Bikers Organization, a motorcade of vintage cars and military vehicles by the Collectors Club of the Philippines, and a marathon/fun run from Bitalag Junction, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur to Bessang Pass at 5 a.m. on the same day.

A medical and dental outreach will also be held simultaneously at the Cervantes Municipal Covered Court.

The commemoration is organized by the provincial government of Ilocos Sur headed by Gov. Ryan Singson and Vice Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano, in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Municipality of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur headed by Mayor Benjamin Maggay.

“Unknown to many, the triumph of our forces at Bessang Pass was the most dramatic victory scored by Filipino guerrillas against the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II that forced Yamashita to surrender later in Kiangan, Ifugao, liberating northern Luzon from the Japanese invaders and eventually ending Japanese occupation in the Philippines and concluding the war in the Pacific,” PVAO head Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina said.

Unfortunately, the victory at Bessang Pass is not being commemorated as a national historic event with the same fervor and intensity as that of April 9 every year -- the day when Bataan fell to the hands of the Japanese in 1942.

“The defeats in Bataan and Corregidor had been long redeemed by the victory at Bessang Pass, and the many other successful campaigns waged and won by our troops in various parts of the country," he added.

Carolina also stressed that the PVAO had already published three books on the Battle of Bessang Pass because it has always been its advocacy to inform the Filipino citizenry, especially the youth, of the country's great historic past so that the nation will have a more accurate and balanced perspective of history and a sense of national pride.

"This will bring about love of country which is what we need, especially nowadays,” he concluded.(

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=771960