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Saturday, March 19, 2005
Greatest Pinoy war heroes were Ilonggos
A NUMBER of Ilonggos were among greatest heroes during the World War II, according to Senator Richard Gordon.
In fact, the first Filipino who received the "Medal of Valor" for fighting the Japanese was a native of Leon, Iloilo.
Jose Calugas, who was born in 1907, was a mess sergeant of the Philippine Scout Ranger in Bataan when he "grabbed a machine gun and saved his entire unit from annihilation," Gordon said during the 60th Commemoration of Victory Day in Panay, Guimaras and Romblon at the Freedom Grandstand in Iloilo City Friday.
A descendant of Calugas was present during the program.
Gordon also mentioned Agustin Martin, a native of Jaro, Iloilo City, who was a "most wanted guerilla."
Martin drove an armored truck and ran over the Japanese troops.
During the rites at the Freedom Grandstand, the Filipino war veterans and government officials were joined by military envoys Major Paul Rosenzweig of Australia, Group Captain Jim Mc Millan of New Zealand, Lieutenant Steve Walker of United Kingdom, Colonel Terry Cook, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce West and Captain Tim Keating of the United States and Japanese military attache Yukio Yasunaga.
Local officials were led by Governor Niel Tupas and Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin was also among the guests.
(March 19, 2005 issue)
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