PAYING TRIBUTE. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of World War II Veterans inside the Capitol Lagoon and Park in Bacolod City on Thursday (Sept. 9, 2021). The event commemorated the 76th Negros Island Victory Day and paid tribute to the gallantry and patriotism of Negrense veterans who liberated the island after fighting against the Japanese Imperial Army. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government paid tribute to the veterans of World War II and the retired members of the Armed Forces to commemorate the 76th Negros Island Victory Day on Thursday.
“We acknowledge the enduring example you continue to set to the next generations, especially in this time of great adversity. In this time of pandemic, in this war against a health scare which affected everyone everywhere, the Filipino people must take inspiration from the way you fought – united, and always looking out for one another,” said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of WW II Veterans inside the Capitol Lagoon and Park here.
He added that honor is due to fellow Negrenses who “rendered to the province and country the highest form of service”.
“We don’t just owe you our respect and gratitude, we owe you our freedom. As much as we want to give you the honors in our traditional and solemn but grand manner, complete with a pass in review, our present circumstance does not allow the same,” Lacson said in his message.
Still, the governor emphasized that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) quarantine restrictions “shall not hinder us to show our gratitude and utmost respect to you, and the contributions you so courageously made on the battlefield”.
At present, there are only 16 living Negrense veterans, data from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO)-Negros Occidental showed.
The annual event pays tribute to the gallantry and patriotism of Negrense veterans who liberated the island after fighting against the Japanese Imperial Army.
Information from the PVAO website said the Negros Island Victory Day marks the surrender of an estimated 13,500 Japanese soldiers under Japanese Gen. Takaise Kono at Sta. Rosa in Murcia town.
Preceded by the Battle of Patag in Silay City, the surrender is said to be the last battle in the Pacific.
On Sept. 9, 1945, the entire Japanese Imperial Forces in Negros surrendered and the island was declared liberated from enemy occupation, it added.
This year’s commemoration is themed “Kudos!!! WWII Negros Heroes”.(PNA)
