Philippine Navy joins end of World War II anniversary in Hawaii

September 3, 2020

The Philippine Navy contingent to the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) drill joined the 75th commemoration of the end of World War II in Hawaii on Tuesday, a spokesman said on Thursday.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, PN acting public affairs director said during the event " BRP Jose Rizal was in full dress (signal flags and pennants strung along the length of the ship) on the surrounding Hawaiian waters to pay tribute to the fallen heroes during WWII whose sacrifices brought about the end to the world's most destructive and expensive war."

"Both Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and Manila, Philippines suffered aerial bombing by the Imperial Japanese Military on the same day... in 1941," she said.

World War II officially ended on Sept. 2, 1945 upon Japan's signing of the document of unconditional surrender with Gen. Douglas MacArthur aboard USS Missouri. The battleship is now a museum ship at Pearl Harbor.

Roxas also emphasized the importance of the participation of the Philippine Navy in such international events.

"The Philippines' naval presence in this important event solidifies our country and PN's commitment to forge stronger ties with other foreign navies as we share common history and the desire to work together to prevent that fateful part in our era from happening again," she said. Robina Asido/DMS