TAGUIG CITY—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strongly reaffirmed the country’s strong friendship and alliance with the United States of America and expressed his gratitude to the American soldiers who joined the Filipino troops in defending Manila from the Japanese forces during the Battle of Manila 80 years ago and the continued good relations and partnership of the two nations.
The President and US Secretary of State MaryKay Carlson with other US and Filipino officials honored the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to free the country’s capital from Japanese invaders during Saturday’s 80th anniversary celebration of the Liberation of Manila held at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in this city.
The attacks and battle in Manila between Japanese, the US and the Philippine troops lasted for a month from February 3-March 3, 1945 where hundreds of army soldiers of the three countries were killed and left Manila in devastation and ruins.
The hollow grounds of the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial has been the home to the remains of some 17,000 US and Filipino and soldiers including other nationalities and civilians who perished in the said war.
“We are gratified with our enduring alliance, partnership and friendship with the US. Especially towards advancing our common agenda of peace and prosperity in the Indio-Pacific. In peace and in war, in natural disasters and in the pandemic, the Philippines and US relations are firmly anchored on values and principles that we shared, peace, democracy, fairness, social progress and justice.
Our two nations are committed in the preservation and enhancement of national securities, the attainment of economic prosperity and promotions of the rights and well being of our people, whether we gather as we do today to remember the liberation of Manila some 80 years ago or during our joint military exercises as our armed forces will in a few weeks time or the Balikatan, there is no doubt that our relationship is robust with our two countries continuing to work together to address common challenges,” Marcos said in his speech before around 300 dignitaries and guests.
“We are proud of our history and even prouder of the relationships and the alliance that we have built in many years. Bound by our shared history and our common commitment to rule the government with rules and not by might. The Philippines recognizes challenges that lie ahead, that we can continue to count on the help of friends as we have done so over the last 80 years,” he ended.
US, Japan and the Philippines as allies
US Ambassador Carlson gave emphasis on the transformation that happened in the security landscape in the Asian region as the US, the Philippines and Japan have become partners today, decades after the said battle.
“In just one generation, the security landscape in this region has gone into transformation, the US, the Philippines and Japan as partners today is demonstrating that yesterday’s barriers can be overcome in the spirit of friendship and cooperation,” she said.
Carlson said the ceremony reminds everyone of the extra ordinary sacrifices made by so many during one of the most harrowing chapters in the US and in the Philippines shared history. “Today we honor the courage of those who gave their lives to free Manila, many of whom lie here in eternal rest. Today we honor all those who died including 2 Czech citizens buried here,” the Ambassador said.
Carlson also affirmed the US and the Philippines strong present and future relations. “To the future generation who might not know peace, fighting side by side 80 years ago. Today, with the modern Filipino alliance, our bilateral rites are stronger as we work together today to address shared challenges ranging from maritime security and state response and to address the 21st century concerns such as lasting peace and encourage light minded partners who are playing heroes for a free Indo-Pacific,” she said.
Battle of Manila destruction is redeemed through life, peace and partnership
Commander James Regain III, Deputy Force Chaplain of the US Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific who lead the Invocation thanked God “that the horrible war came to an end and that today, they remember the sacrificial love, the bond of forged between the United States and the Philippines, one which we will always stand shoulder to shoulder during time of peace and conflict”.
“We thank you for the partnerships between the Philippines and the United States and the close relationships we now have with our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific and that You redeemed the depth of destruction that existed in this place by bringing forth life, peace and partnership,” he uttered as part of the prayer he delivered.
Together in the fight fir a free Indo-Pacific
Lt. General Joel B. Vowell, Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Pacific vowed to continue to fight alongside the Filipino soldiers as the Philippines faces new challenges today in protecting the Indo-Pacific.
He said all those in attendance in the event pay tribute to all Filipinos and Americans who fought side by side in the Pacific war who are buried in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, America’s largest overseas cemetery.
Vowell said those American soldiers were from the First Cavalry Division, 11th Airborne Division and 37th Infantry Division whose selfless devotion to duty and country will never be forgotten as it continues to inspire generations of Filipinos and American soldiers.
“Our mutual support today is that the US troops stand alongside the Filipino army partners in recognition of our history of fighting and securing our freedom together as they fight eighty years ago. This is more important now and ever as our current regional security environment is the most dangerous and challenging. But together, we secure those freedom and liberty fought eight decades ago,” Jowell said.
“It is up to us to continue to preserve and earn those sacrifices of those who sweat blood and die for us to be here. We must live up to and protect their expectations of us. We will stand in such a way of life to support and fight a free and open Indo-Pacific. As we say in the army, “This we’ll defend,” the officer added.
Stronger partnership today and in the future
In defense of the Indo-Pacific
Admiral Samuel Paparro, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command spoke about the unbreakable bond of the US and the Philippines as demonstrated and proven during World War II and the continued partnership of the two countries in numerator undertakings.
He said that “American and Filipino soldiers fought side by side to reclaim Manila from Japan resulting in the deaths of thousands of service members. Their courage, their sacrifice and their tenacity paved the way for the allied forces triumph in the pacific”.
“Today we honor those who fought and fell and we remember the timeless values that define our alliance. Democracy, freedom and commitment to rule of law where nations stood together for decades confronting common challenges and advancing shared interest in the Indo-Pacific,” he also said.
According to the Commander, “the US supports the Republic of the Philippines in democracy. We responded together in the act of disasters. We work together to support and work for a free border. we both remained committed to the defense and security of the Philippines and will continue to work together to deter aggression and uphold international law”.
“Today we honor the memory of those who gave their lives and for us to dedicate ourselves to the cause of freedom and our enduring partnership”.
“May the sacrifice inspire us to stand firm and face the challenges and may our bond of friendship and cooperation grow stronger in the years to come,” also said.
He called the liberation of Manila as a triumph to the universal vows of human dignity, self determination and the human spirit.
People’s will to defend freedom is world’s most powerful weapon
Secretary Charles Djou of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) shared the sacrifices of Mildred Harper, one of the many civilians who was killed by the enemies during World War II. Ms. Harper’s remains was buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
One of them was Ms. Ms. Harper. She was 14. She died at the age of 17.
Djou also shared the story and honored the memory and sacrifices of Vicente Lim, the first Filipino graduate in the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1914 and who fought alongside the US soldiers. His body was never found even after the war.
The US government had continued to recognize Lim’s heroism. His great grandson, Vicente Lim IV is currently the Director, Visitor Center in the Manila American and Memorial.
“Gen. Vincent Lim who graduated in West Point. His body was never found. His great grandson is our emcee”.
According to Djou, of the 26 American military cemeteries and 31 American military memorials spread across 17 countries in the world outside the US, the ABMC is the US largest in terms of the number of whom it recognized and in size.
Djou spoke sharply against enemies of freedom and democracy and those who seemed to question and doubt the US genuine and sincerity in honoring its soldiers and heroes.
“For those who question and doubt. Come here, to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Come to this soil. Come and see these crosses, these names, on the walls surrounding all of you. Come and see where the US buries all those who made the ultimate sacrifice without regard to ranks. Generals are buried next to private. Without regard to religion, protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Muslims are buried side by side and without regard to race. Walk along these crosses, walk along these walls and that you shall see that those Filipinos who serve and sacrifice alongside Americans are recognized. There is no distinction. All is treated equally,” Djou uttered in a strong voice of faith and conviction.
Tears rolled down the face of the audience as they were touched by the sentimental statements of Djou. “That when America sends its finest to fight. We do not fight for a king or crown, a sect or denomination or blood line. When we go to fight. We fight for the values of freedom and democracy. And when the job is done, when the mission is accomplished and that we have taken down the authoritarian and dictators and stood up democracy, Americans have something unique in the history of mankind, We go home. All the Americans asked in return is a small piece of land to bury our dead”.
Djou in fierce voice also reminded and created a tone of a warning against the leaders of nations today who are enemies of freedom ad democracy. “And so I remind all of you, all Filipinos, all Americans, most especially of all, authoritarians here in this world, whether they be in Beijing or Moscow, or Pyongyang, that the most powerful system known to mankind was, is not and shall forever be not the Shandong aircraft patrolling the South China Sea, not the ability to build artificial islands in Filipino waters, not the ability to build road initiatives, but, the most powerful system known to mankind is a free people, willing to fight for freedom. That is what this site is all about and what this ceremony is all about,” Djou ended his speech.
Military valor
Specialist Tommy Collins of the 11th Airborne Division, United States Army said there are 1,100 US Army soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Manila and 500 of them rest in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
He presented and honored the stories and heroism of six of them– PFC Joseph Cicchetti of the 37th Infantry Division of the US Army. PFCWilliam Grabiarza, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army, PFC Manuel Perez Jr., 11th Airborne Division, US Army, 2Lt. Robert Viale, 37th Infantry Division, US Army PFC John Reese Jr., 37th Infantry Division, US Army and TSGT Cleto Rodriguez, 37th Infantry Division US Army who were awarded the Military valor.
Rodriguez, he said, was the one of the six who survived the war and have managed to return to the US.
