GRATITUDE. Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. (3rd left) is joined on Tuesday (Oct. 25, 2022) by Richard Sisson, (2nd left) the Charge'd Affairs of Australian Embassy in the Philippines and Commander Sekine Takeharu, (right), the Vice Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines during the groundbreaking of the Japanese battleship-inspired governor’s office building at the provincial capitol in San Jose. Demerey said the building symbolizes the Dinagatnons' gratitude to Japan’s continuing support to the province. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands – The Dinagat Islands provincial government is set to build a PHP50 million worth of building that will resemble the appearance of the World War II Japanese battleship Yamashiro.
The battleship sank on the western shores of Hibusong Island in Loreto town here during the Battle of Surigao Strait on Oct. 25, 1944.
On Tuesday afternoon, Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. and other top provincial officials led the groundbreaking for the building’s site at the provincial capito.
The ceremony was graced by Richard Sisson, the Charge'd Affairs of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, and Commander Sekine Takeharu, Vice Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
Sisson and Takeharu were part of the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Surigao Strait.
In his message, Demerey said the building, which will also serve as the Office of the Governor, will be established not to "glorify the horrors of war," but to thank the Japanese government for its continuing support to the province.
“We are reviving the Yamashiro to remember the aid of the Japanese people to Dinagat Islands during the pandemic and after the devastation of Typhoon Odette,” he said.
Around PHP663 million worth of aid was sent by Japan for post-recovery efforts in the areas hit by the typhoon in December last year, including the Dinagat Islands, Demerey said.
He also recognized the help of Australian Aid for funding the post-typhoon Odette resilient home program for the affected residents in the Dinagat Islands.
“We will remember the heroism of those who fought bravely so that we will enjoy freedom and meaningful peace,” he said.
He said the Philippines, Japan, and Australia are allies that are "facing common and tangible threats, including hunger, poverty, and inequality."
“The replica will also remind us of the value of the love of country as emulated by Vice Admiral Shōji Nishimura, the commander of the battleship Yamashiro,” Demerey said.
Nishimura was the head of Japan’s Southern Force that engaged the naval forces of the United States and Australia during the Battle of Surigao Strait.
His forces consisted of battleships Fusō and Yamashiro, the heavy cruiser Mogami, and the destroyers Shigure, Michishio, Asagumo, and Yamagumo.
Nishimura was among those who died as the flagship Yamashiro and five other fleets including the Fuso, Yamagumo, Asagumo, Michishio, and Mogami were destroyed during the battle.
Historical accounts described the Battle of Surigao Strait as the “last big gun battle” and the “greatest triumph of the US Navy” during World War II. (PNA)
