Leyte marks 72nd Leyte Gulf Landings anniversary

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 19 (PNA) – Leyte province will mark the 72nd anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings on Thursday, honoring allied forces and Filipino war veterans who fought to end the Japanese occupation in the country during the World War II.

Foreign dignitaries and war veterans will converge at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug village here for the annual commemoration of the event every Oct. 20.

“This is to remember their bravery, gallantry and love for our country. Their sacrifices was meant for us to enjoy the freedom that we have right now,” said Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla at a press briefing Wednesday night.

“Remembering what happened 72 years ago, it can help us as a people. We have more battles to win such as war against poverty, criminality, drugs, and diseases. With the cooperation of everybody, we will end up victorious.”

The local government invited President Rodrigo Duterte to grace the event, but the Chief Executive earlier declined due to his state visit to Brunei and China this week.

More than 200 surviving World War II Filipino veterans based in Leyte will be honored in the celebration. The oldest is 94-year-old Benjamin Canonigo from Dulag, Leyte.

Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command will address the veterans.

Foreign officials who will deliver solidarity messages are Capt. Brad White, defense attaché of Australian Embassy; 

Minister Atsushi Ueno, deputy chief of mission of Japanese Embassy; and Col. Kevin Wolfla, United States Army attaché of US Embassy in Manila.

From the Philippines, those who will read solidarity messages are Retired Justice Manuel Pamaran, World War II Veterans board of trustee, Ret. Col. Bonifacio De Gracia, Veterans Federation of the Philippines national president; and Retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolino, Philippine Veteran Affairs Office administrator.

Another highlight of the celebration is the disposition of ashes at this town’s Red Beach of US Infantryman Charles Goldberg Deadeye of the US Army 96th Infantry Division, which was based in Leyte during the Second World War.

On October 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur, at the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by Commonwealth President Sergio Osmeña and Gen Carlos P. Romulo, landed at Red Beach of this town to reclaim the Philippines from the Japanese.

History tells that the largest naval battle in the Pacific and the second battle of the Philippine Sea against Japanese invaders was fought and won in Leyte.

The battle was a great victory; it effectively destroyed the Japanese fleet and opened the way for the recovery of all the islands. Luzon was invaded in January 1945 and Manila was taken in February.

On July 5, 1945, MacArthur announced “All the Philippines are now liberated.” The Japanese had suffered more than 425,000 dead in the Philippines. (PNA)
RMA/SARWELL Q. MENIANO