Aquino leads 70th Commemoration of the Fall of
Corregidor
CORREGIDOR ISLAND, Cavite: President Benigno S.
Aquino III led Sunday the 70th Commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor saluting
and honoring the bravery of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought the
Japanese invaders during World War II.
“We remember the Fall of Corregidor 70 years
ago. More than the Fall, we commemorate our soldiers’ acts of bravery and their
unconditional sacrifice for country,” the President said in his speech during
the event here.
The President said that the Pacific War Memorial,
the site of the commemoration rites, is consecrated to the memory of the
Filipinos and the Americans who fought in the Second World War.
“It is a symbol of our gratitude, set in stone
and steel. The bravery, the unity, and the sacrifice our soldiers sowed then
have borne the fruit of a true democracy,” he said stressing that the
Philippine-US partnerships are formed not only in moments of triumph, but also
in times of adversity.
The war memorial, which marks every sacrifice
made by a Filipino and American soldier, may serve as a guide to the country’s
quest for reforms and progress, the President said.
Aside from delivering a message, President
Aquino also led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Dome Altar of the Pacific War
Memorial.
The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) and the
Filipino American Memorial Endowment (FAME) organized the observance of the
70thCommemoration of the Fall of Corregidor.
American and Filipino defenders surrendered
Corregidor to the Japanese Imperial Army after one-month siege from the Fall of
Bataan on April 9, 1942, a strategic victory for the allied forces to hold off
the Japanese advance that allowed Gen. MacArthur to regroup in Australia.
MacArthur eventually returned to the Philippines
to retake Corregidor Island on March 2, 1945.
The President was accompanied by Vice President
Jejomar Binay and members of his Cabinet that include Executive Secretary
Paquito Ochoa Jr. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Sonny Coloma,
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and
other officials.
Also present were members of the American
Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc., American and Filipino veterans and
their representatives, officials of the US Embassy in Manila and the Department
of Tourism. (PCOO)
Aquino plans to improve facilities in Corregidor
Island; cites it's tourism potential
CORREGIDOR ISLAND, Cavite: President Benigno S.
Aquino III said he has instructed the Department of Budget if it can allocate
funds for the repair of the port facilities in Corregidor Island to promote it
for local and foreign tourists.
The Chief executive visited Corregidor Island on
Sunday for the 70th Commemoration of the Fall of Corregidor.
“Napansin natin ‘yung kalagayan noong wharf at
medyo marami nang kailangang i-repair...binanggit natin ito sa ating Kalihim ng
Budget and Management na kung puwede tingnan ito. Tapos ang Tourism, alam ko ay
nakikipag-ugnayan sa Corregidor Foundation,” the President said when asked by
local reporters how his administration intends to promote the island's tourism
potential.
Although the site is old and some of the tourist
attractions is starting to deteriorate, the President said, this is the reason
why the government should preserve what is left by war in the island.
“Ito ang isa sa pinakamalapit na site kapag may
dumarating tayong mga turista, kailangan nating mapaayos, mapaganda ito,
ma-preserve ang nandito. Seventy years old na nga rin naman lahat ng mga
nakatayo sa kasalukuyan,” he said.
The Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) and the
Filipino American Memorial Endowment (FAME) organized the observance of the
commemorative event in the island.
CFI is a private, non-stock and non-profit
foundation mandated to administer and maintain Corregidor and is working under
the auspices of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
CFI has partnered with FAME which also has ties
with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. for the
preservation and maintenance of the World War 2 battle monuments and memorials
(Bataan Death March Markers Project) in the island.
Corregidor Island was the last line of defense
of the American and Filipino forces during World War II. It was eventually
surrendered by the allied forces on May 6, 1942 to the Japanese invaders.
US General Douglas MacArthur retook Corregidor
on March 2, 1945 when he liberated the country. (PCOO)
