The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

Philippine Army marks 75th anniversary of regaining Fort Mc Kinley from Japanese

February 17, 2020



The Philippine Army commemorated on Monday the 75th anniversary of the recapture of Fort William McKinley during the Japanese occupation in World War II.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Philippine Army spokesman said "Fort William McKinley, now known as Fort Andres Bonifacio, was regained through the bravery of the Hunters Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) guerrillas’ who took part in the liberation battles from the Japanese Imperial Forces in 1945."

Zagala said the wreath-laying ceremony at the Larangang Hunters-ROTC Grandstand in Taguig City which was also named by the Philippine Army in honor to the guerillas; heroism was led by  Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator, Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina.

In his speech, Zagala said Carolina recalled how the Hunters-ROTC fought against the Japanese during the war.

“May their stories be inspirational to our youth today and may it be a motivation to serve the country,” he said.  

Zagala said "the Hunters-ROTC was created when young cadets from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) wanted to join the war efforts against the Japanese."

"In 1942, recruits from various ROTC components were gathered and organized to form a fighting unit. The retaking of Fort McKinley began on February 4, 1945. The operation was led by the 47th ROTC Division of the Hunters-ROTC Guerrillas with other Hunters units as well," he said.

"On February 12, the Hunters-ROTC launched their offensive against the Japanese resistance and overcame the superiority in arms and numbers of the opponent by penetrating enemy lines under cover of darkness. The Hunters commenced fighting from the rear, causing confusion," said Zagala.

"After days and nights of heavy fighting, the Filipinos with American forces finally overwhelmed the superior Japanese naval forces on February 15 to 16, 1945. The rest of Philippine Islands were eventually liberated from Japanese rule," he added. Robina Asido/DMS