By Ruben A.Veloria
SAN NARCISO, Zambales, Philippines – Local government officials and veterans in this municipality marched early morning on Thursday toward the beach front in Barangay La Paz to witness the unveiling of a monument dedicated for Filipino guerillas who saved the entire community from total destruction 1945.
In his speech, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the monument will remind Zambalenos how Filipino guerillas during World War II saved Barangay La Paz and its residents from certain death and destruction, and helped the allied forces land without enemy resistance.
The monument was designed with a four pillars symboling the waves of the sea, and a small banca with two standing male passesngers both waving (to the US sailors). At the left side of the monument is a marker bearing the history of the monument, whle the other marker on the right contains the names of the guerillas who participated in the clearing of La Paz.
“This monument will show how grateful we are to the guerillas, led by then Second Lieutenant Arellano Tadena and Sargeant Pablo Magno, who recaptured Barangay Laz from Japanese occupation forces before the Americans initiated the landing procedures.
A graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and former Defence Secretary, Gov. Ebdane explained that as standard military operation on areas occupied by enemy forces, the area should be subjected to air strikes and naval bombarbment before the soldiers will be sent using landing crafts, ready to fire their guns upon reaching the beach.
However, using only impovised wig-wag, Lt. Arellano managed to direct the cannons of US Navy Forces to the exact locations of the Japanese artillaries and they were bombarded and destroyed. Arellano and Magno also volunteered to reach the nearest US Navy and informed them that the Japanese forces had already left La Paz, and is now safe. Hence, the bombarbment ad airstikes were cancelled.
On January 29, 1945, exactly 81 years today, American and allied forces landed in the same area where the plaza and the monument were erected in La Paz, without firing a shot. That was the first time the American flag was raised in the area since 1942. Later, the incident was later known as the Bloodless Landing.
Meanwhile, San Narciso mayor Dr. La Rainne Abad-Samiento, said the monument is a dream come true for all the families of the guerilla members. “Now, with this monument our brave fathers will forever be remembered.” she added.
The ceremony also included a a short story telling presentation by Republica Filipina Reenactment Group who reenacted with explanation what transpired on January 29, 1945; a wreath laying by former veterans, and concluded with the 21-Gun Salute, the highest military honor rendered.
