PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, through Republic Act (RA) 11216, has declared September 3 of every year a special working public holiday all throughout the country in commemoration of the surrender of Japanese Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio City during World War II.

Dubbed as "Tiger of Malaya," Yamashita surrendered on September 2, 1945 in the town of Kiangan, Ifugao. His surrender led to the end of the second world war. He and his remaining forces were holed up before they eventually yielded to the Allied forces.

On September 3, 1945, Yamashita was brought by helicopter to Baguio City, where he formally signed surrender documents before American forces at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

Duterte signed RA 11216 in February 14, but a copy of the law was sent to the media on Tuesday, February 19.

RA 11216 takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (SunStar Philippines)