The Philippines being one of the major theaters of World War II, has commissioned a number of monuments, cemeteries memorials, preserved relics, and established private and public museums, as well as National Shrines, to commemorate battles and events during the invasion, occupation, and liberation of the country. The United States and Japan also has established a number of memorials in the country.
The National Historical Commission provides national level oversight for national shrines. However, there are local and private initiatives to commemorate battles, massacres, and local heroes.[1]
The events of World War II has forged a national identity for the country, as well as established traditions for the Philippine military.[2][3]
Japanese troops guard American and Filipino POWs in Bataan.
Due to the lack of reinforcement and supplies, and continuous Japanese onslaught, the USAFFE in Bataan under Gen. Edward King surrendered on April 9, 1942, which saw the largest surrender of American forces on foreign soil and lead to the infamous Bataan Death March where more than 16,000 of the 80,0000 American and Filipino POWs died. This was followed by Gen. Jonathan Wainwright's surrender of Corregidor on May 6, 1942, completing the occupation of Japan over the Philippines.[4]
The POWs were then incarcerated in the Camp O'Donnell, where the IJA was ill-prepared to handle the numbers. The lack of supplies and basic needs has brought to 400 deaths per day among the POWs.[4]
For the next 3.5 years, the Philippines came under Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. While there were a number of leaders who collaborated with the Japanese authorities, some opted to resist through guerrilla warfare. The Filipino and American guerrillas provided critical intelligence to Gen. MacArthur's headquarters, and harassed Japanese forces during their occupation.[6] The Filipino general public meanwhile suffered under oppressive Japanese retaliations, aside from the economic hardship brought about by the war.[7]
Return of Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the Leyte Landings.
After the surrender of Japan in September 1945, the American forces began establishing cemeteries around the country to commemorate the fallen American and Filipino troops, as well as civilians. When the Philippines gained independence on July 4, 1946, the country continued with the establishment of memorials, monuments, and commemoration of events during World War II.[9][10]
To commemorate the valor of American and Filipino troops in Bataan, and the eventual surrender on April 9, 1944. Primary location of the celebration of Philippine Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan.
Visual documentation and accounts of the suffering of the American and Filipino POWs incarcerated in this location after the Battle of Bataan. Also displays a PNR cattle car where 60-80 men were crammed in for a day's ride from San Fernando to Capas.
Municipal museum located adjacent to the Surrender of Bataan Monument at the Balanga Elementary School. Contains relics and historical account of the Battle of Bataan.
Marker commemorating the battle between units of the Philippine Army's 1st Regular Division, and the Japanese invading forces that landed in Mauban on December 26, 1941.
Disembarkation point of American and Filipino POWs after being transported in cattle cars of the Philippine National Railway from San Fernando, Pampanga.
On September 7, 1944, the submarine USS Paddle torpedoed the Japanese hell shipShinyo Maru. The crew did not know there were 750 American POWs. Only 82 POWs survived and were rescued by the residents of Sindangan.
Monument commemorating the 41st Infantry Division under Gen. Vicente Lim. Tagaytay was the division's cantonment from September to December 1941, prior to their relocation to Bataan Peninsula.
Originally erected in 1938 to commemorate the 48 crew members of the IJN Yahagi who were buried at the British Cemetery Manila (current location). During, the Japanese occupation, the Imperial Japanese Navy celebrated their Navy Day with the rededication of the monument.[17]
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