By Aileen Refuerzo-Baguio PIO
A diorama depicting the historic signing of the document of surrender of the Imperial Japanese forces ending World War II is on display at the Bataan World War II Museum in Talisay, Balanga City.
As recounted in the caption, Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita signed the formal instrument of surrender at Camp John Hay in Baguio City on Sept. 3, 1945. He was with Vice Admiral Denshicho Okochi.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur was represented by Lt. Gen. Wilhelm Styer while USFIP Commander Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright and British Forces Singapore Commander Lt. Gen. Arthur Percival served as special witnesses.
Apart from war relics and written historical accounts mounted on walls, the museum also showcases images and dioramas of the horrors of the war particularly the tragic Bataan Death March where an estimated 75,000 Filipino and American troops on the Bataan peninsula were forced to join the 65-mile march to prison camps.
They were subjected to brutal treatment as prisoners of war. An estimated 17,000 POWs died during and after the march.
Another diorama shows doll figures portraying the torture soldiers had to endure. In one scene, a soldier was seen attempting to hide under the skirt of a woman to evade the bayonet-clutching pursuers.
The museum also shows a short video containing snippets of the war.
Bataan was where Major General Edward P. King Jr. surrendered the American and Filipino forces to the Japanese.
A surrender site monument was built in the vicinity of the museum showing the life-sized statue of Major General Edward King when he signed the document of surrender to Japan on April 9, 1942.
There is also an old toilet adjacent the museum which was turned into a torture chamber at that time. The room was said to be preserved.
The museum keeper regales visitors with present day stories of supposed encounters with ghosts of beheaded soldiers, priests and other war figures which the province was rich of being at the center of World War II atrocities at that time.
Over at the Bataan Tourism Center along Roman super highway, another museum features larger dioramas showing life-size figures in death march scenes will also captivate history lovers.
A visit to these museums is an enriching and enlightening experience making us realize how great the sacrifices and bravery it took for our forefathers to regain freedom — the freedom that we are enjoying now.
