US army official reaffirms ties with PHL in Leyte Gulf Landing celebration

PALO, Leyte, Oct. 20 (PNA) -- An army official who represented the United States in the 72nd Leyte Gulf Landing celebration said Thursday he is confident that strong ties with the Philippines will be sustained as his country never “wavered” in its commitment to Filipinos since World War II.

Col. Kevin Wolfla, US Army attaché of the US embassy in Manila, said the two countries will stand “shoulder to shoulder to face the future”.

“Our relationship with the Philippines is broad and our alliance is one of our most enduring and important relationship in the Asia-Pacific region. It is a cornerstone of stability for over 70 years,”

 Wolfla said in his speech during the event in this town celebrating the end of Japanese invasion on Oct. 20, 1944.

Despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s “time to say goodbye” remarks to the US in his state visit to China, Wolfla said he is “proud and humbled to represent the US commemorating shared sacrifices during World War II”.

“I am reminded that today gives us the chance to renew and strengthen the bond that tied us together as partners who know the joy of freedom and are willing to serve together to guarantee that freedom and prosperity for ourselves and for future generations,” the US army official said.

In an interview after the commemorative program, the US official declined to comment on the President’s pronouncement, but assured that the Philippines will remain his country’s ally.

Earlier, President Duterte suspended the joint US-Philippine patrols in the South China Sea, and has threatened an end to joint military exercises.

“To this day, we still have commitment to our friends in the Philippines. It is built on shared sacrifices for democracy and human rights and strong people to people and societal ties,” Wolfla added.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, who repeatedly thanked the US for its role in the Philippines' liberation and massive assistance of the US government after super typhoon Yolanda, declined to comment on the President’s statement against the Western country.

“I think the President is just expanding options on trade... He is entitled to his opinion and we have to respect that, being in a democratic country,” Petilla said.

The governor’s mother, Palo town Mayor Remedios Petilla assured that US officials will always be invited in future Leyte Gulf Landing celebrations.

“The President just ended the military exercises, but Americans will continue to be here,” she added.

Officials and embassy officials from Allied Forces gathered for the 72nd Leyte Gulf Landing at the Macarthur Landing Memorial National Park.

On Oct. 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur, at the head of the largest US fleet of transport and warships, and accompanied by then 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 during the battle. (PNA)
CVL/SARWELL Q. MENIANO