THE Visayan Command (Viscom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines honored war veterans during the 81st Anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan, or the Day of Valor, on Monday, April 10, 2023.
The national observance usually falls on April 9, when the fall of Bataan to Japanese troops in 1942 during World War 2 is commemorated, but President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. moved the date to April 10 this year, so people could have a long weekend.
Viscom officials saluted and recognized the war veterans for their heroic contributions during the war that lasted until 1945.
Eighty-one years ago on April 9, 76,000 soldiers (64,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Americans) were forced to endure the 140-kilometer march from Bataan to Tarlac. Thousands died en route.
According to Army Maj. Joe Patrick Martinez, head of Viscom’s 3rd Civil Relations Group, only a few World War 2 veterans remain.
He said many fell victim to the coronavirus disease pandemic in 2020.
“We may not have a chance to talk to them and honor them next year,” Martinez said in Tagalog.
War veteran Sotero Librero, a 101-year-old resident in the northern town of Compostela, Cebu, was grateful that even at their advanced age they are still given importance by the government and recognized for their heroic work when they were active in the service.
Librero joined the army in 1942 and was later appointed as one of the guards in Malacañang in 1970.
He said he will never forget what his former superior taught him and that is to always set a good example to others.
Despite his old age, he said he still has good eyesight and hearing.
“Ambot lang unsay plano sa Ginoo kay hangtod karon naa pa man ko sa maayong panimuot. Kakita pa ko. Ang akong mata maayo pa. Bisag distansya kaayo, kaila pa kog daga. Kaila gani kog byuda,” said Librero.
(I wonder what the Lord’s plan is because until now I am in a good state of mind and my eyesight is good. I can still see far and can distinguish between a single woman and a widow.)
Fellow veteran Luciano Wagas, a 98-year-old resident of Lapu-Lapu City, said he is happy that he has reached this age despite the hardships he experienced during the war.
He said he is in good health albeit hard of hearing.
Although he doesn’t seek anything from the government, Wagas said he hopes the government will give the remaining war veterans some attention.
“Ang gobyerno na ang angay maghunahuna sa mga beterano nga mga buhi pa karon (The government should think about the veterans who are still alive today),” he said.
As part of the anniversary, Viscom is holding a static display (a military term for the display of collection of military vehicles, aircraft, equipment or other assets) and exhibit at the Ayala Center Cebu. (AYB / PJB)