SAN SIMON -- The local government unit here headed by Mayor Leonora Simbulan-Capule Wong paid tribute on Tuesday to a 92-year-old World War II veteran for her bravery and contribution to the fight for liberation and freedom.
Simeona Punsalan-Tapang, aka Kumander Guerrero, a daughter of a farmer from Barangay San Miguel, started her quest at the age of 22, helping organize the Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Pilipinas and later joined the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon or Hukbalahap.
After being imprisoned by the Japanese during the war, she went back to the Hukbalahap and joined the Apalit Squadron 104, one of the strongest and tried groups of the Huks. Punsalan-Tapang was christened “Kumander Guerrero” then, for what Supremo Luis Taruc said was a “big woman with the strength of a man.” She was admired for boosting the morale of her colleagues even after joining the Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan after the war in the battle for social justice.
After her husband, “Montenegro” was killed during the war in Candaba, she remarried in 1947 a man surnamed “Tapang” who also killed the following year while “Kumander Guerrero” was arrested during the time of Governor Jose B. Lingad, even if she was nursing her baby.
Punsalan-Tapang was recognized for being one of Pampanga’s bravest, in the line of Kapampangan socialists Pedro Abad Santos, Luis Taruc, Felipa “Kumander Dayang-Dayang” Culala, Bernardo “Kumander Banal” Poblete, and Remedios “Kumander Liwayway” Gomez who all fought for workers, farmers and the poor.
Mayor Wong said that it is but fitting to honor “Kumander Guerrero” for dedicating her life with distinction and bravery in the pursuit of truth, justice and equality for the Filipino people.
“We must give tribute to our heroes like Kumander Guerrero while they are still alive so that they can cherish this moment, not when they are no longer with us, because by then only their relatives will be witness to their heroism and bravery,” Wong said.
She also added that the LGU will also honor those “kasama” or “kapatids” of Kumander Guerrero who have served with her during those troubled times, adding that the LGU will also give due honor and compensation to them.
Meanwhile, Governor Lilia Pineda also donated a wheel chair to Tapang during the celebration of her 92nd natal day in her home.
Also present during the celebration were Vice-Mayor Honorato Almario, Administrator Ann Dimacali, MSWD Arminda Abenoja, OSCA head Fidel Intal, Chief of Police Senior Inspector Jhon Michael Riego, and HAU representatives.