Labella seeks for declaration of Buhisan caves as historical sites

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella is set to lobby a measure to declare the caves in Barangay Buhisan as historical sites of World War II.

 Labella, chairman of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, said the caves were used as “shelters and hideouts” of the Japanese troops during the war from 1939 to 1945.

 “Perhaps, we can declare the caves as historical sites basically because they have historical significance. We have to make sure that these areas will be preserved well,” he said.

 “Indeed, this is a good discovery,” he stressed.

 Labella, together with Buhisan Barangay officials, yesterday made an ocular inspection of the caves in preparation for the visit of the nine WW II veterans on Monday.

 The foreign veterans are members of the Americal Division Veterans Association who will visit the battle sites in Cebu City and other places in Cebu province from March 22 to 27. “Americal” is a combination of America and New Caledonia, where the division was first created at the height of WW II.

 The veterans will also be attending the 70th commemoration of the Talisay Landing and unveiling of historical marker at the Japanese Surrender Site in Barangay Caduawan, Tabogon, Cebu.

“It’s a sentimental journey. The veterans just wanted to go back to the places of war,” he said.

The caves are situated meters away from Antuanga, a mountain sitio of Buhisan, where heavy fighting during the liberation forces took place, Labella said.

 As a proof, Japanese characters are carved on one of the entrances of the caves.

 Based on history, Labella said the Japanese forces camped at the caves because water in the area is abundant due to the natural springs.

 The vice mayor said he will bring the CHAC commissioner, city councilors and barangay officlas to the site for them to help promote the area.

 Buhisan Barangay Captain Gremar Barrete said Buhisan has more than 10 caves that are ready to be explored. These sites could help the local tourism and economy if opened to the public for “adventure.”

 Barrete said they are on the process of approving measures on the preservation of natural resources and historical sites, especially the caves.  (FREEMAN)