SATURDAY marks the 79th Anniversary of the Battle for Manila, and hundreds have gathered in the capital to remember the victims who died in the bloody battle between imperial Japanese forces and United States forces that happened in the city in the last days of World War II.
On Saturday, at exactly 8 am, Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan together with ambassadors from United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Australia, and United Mexican States gathered together at Plazuela de Santa Isabel, in Intramuros, Manila to commemorate the 79th Anniversary of the battle for Manila.
The Battle for Manila that happened in Feb. 03 to March 03, 1945 claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people in the city.
Manila commemorates fallen Filipinos in 1945 PH, US-Japan battle
It was a major battle of the country during the World War II and was fought by forces from both Philippines and the United States of America against Japanese troops.
Aside from the fatalities, the city was devastated by the war where some cultural heritage was destroyed by the battle.
Mayor lacuna led the wreath-laying ceremony at Plazuela de Santa Isabel, where a memorable is built in honor of the war in 1945.
Leaders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Intramuros Administration, and Memorare Manila 1945 also joined the wreath-laying ceremony.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps, District Councilors of Manila, Department Heads, and students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, were also present.
One of the survivors, Jose Miguel Cabarrus, the past President and Board Director of Memorare Manila 1945 recalled the devastation that happened in the battle that killed 100,000 civilians.
He told the public that the lives lost during the Battle for Manila should never be forgotten.
Mayor Lacuna, meanwhile, said the monument that was built in the Plazuela de Santa Isabel was to honor those who sacrificed during the battle.
The city mayor also assured that Manila has totally recovered from the war and now enjoying a more peaceful life.
