ROXAS City – The 68th anniversary of the Liberation of Capiz and Capiz Veterans Memorial Day (CVMD) 2012 will be highlighted with a medical mission on December 20. This will be for Capiceño World War II (WWII) veterans and their dependents.
Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP-6) deputy regional vice president Hannibal Lipardo said the celebration will kick off with a wreath laying and volley of gunshots ceremonies at the veterans monument of the Provincial Park here.
VFP national president Emmanuel Deocampo and VFP Secretary General Franciso San Miguel have been invited as guests of honor during the activity.
The 3rd Infantry Division’s (3ID) band and "firing detail" were also invited for a meaningful commemoration of the patriotism and victory of the Capiceño guerillas against the Japanese Imperial Forces.
“It was on Dec. 20, 1944 that Capiz was liberated from the Japanese Imperial Forces by the Capiceño guerillas who belong to the 6th Military District WWII that conducted a simultaneous attack of the Japanese garrisons at the Provincial Capitol, Capiz National High School and Roxas City water tank (now Ang Panubli-on Museum),” said Lipardo.
Japanese garrisons in barangay Loctugan and Culasi also fell on the hands of Capiceño guerillas led by Gen. Macario M. Peralta, Jr. on the same day.
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division headquarters based at Jaena Norte in Jamindan, Capiz was named after the revolutionary hero.
Lipardo added that the victory of guerillas against the Japanese forces was manifested by the guerillas hoisting of flag and parade at CNHS, a former stronghold of the colonizers.
The Capiceño guerillas have also helped in the fall of Japanese garrisons in Zarraga and Balantang, Jaro in Iloilo which eventually led to the Liberation of Panay Island on March 18, 1945.
A photo exhibit on how the province was liberated from the Japanese was staged by the Capiz provincial government thru the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) in collaboration with the VFP for public awareness and appreciation on the role of veterans during WWII.
Capiz Provincial Board member lawyer Remia Fuentes – Bartolome said that the province has declared in a resolution the annual celebration of Capiz Liberation as well as the CVMD as a provincial activity.
There are more than 1,000 WWII veterans and veteran’s widows in the province based on VFP – 6’s latest records. (Alex A. Lumaque/PIA/The Daily Guardian)
