65th Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary: Filipino war veterans honored in Pangasinan commemoration

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines  – While the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act provides a one-time restitution payment for those who served under US Command, Filipino veterans ironically have not really attained full recognition as equals of their American counterparts.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. said this in his speech yesterday during the 65th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings at the Veterans’ Park here, adding that “these honorable men and women, represented by the few remaining veterans present in this commemorative gathering, were the gallant heroes that helped achieve US victory in the Pacific arena during World War II.”

Espino said that in February 2007, the Committee on Veterans Affairs of the 110th US Congress convened to deliberate on the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act.

He said in the same hearing, Rep. Madeleine Bordallo of Guam made a statement that tugged into the heart of every Filipino veteran who suffered not only from the atrocities of the war, but who has continually struggled for fair and just treatment long after the war had ended.

Quoting Bordallo, Espino said, “Filipinos are the only national group singled out for denial of full US veteran status while the soldiers of more than 66 other US allied countries who were similarly inducted into the service of the Armed Forces of the US during World War II were granted full US veteran status. You ask yourself how could this have happened?”

Values of freedom

“The values of freedom, democratic governance and the rule of law were cherished and sought by the people of the Philippines in the early part of the 20th century. The extent to which these values were inherent in the character of the Filipinos was evidenced by the service and sacrifices of approximately 250,000 of their countrymen that upon order of President Roosevelt were inducted into the US Army,” Espino went on quoting Bordallo.

He said “the least we can do is to enshrine their memory forever in the collective consciousness of the entire Filipino nation.” He urged his provincemates to do whatever they can to make life comfortable for them while they are still in their midst.

For her part, Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas said yesterday’s occasion is another effort made by the provincial government through Espino to reach out to the veterans, and more importantly, to once again thank them and recognize their valiant, noble and brave acts which earned for Filipinos their liberation, and in turn earned for themselves the right to be called heroes.

In related developments, Ricardo Balbido Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Veterans Bank, in his message read by Miguel Angelo Villa-Real, vice president for corporate communications and marketing services department, said,” While the Lingayen landing is primarily an American effort, the Filipino guerillas’ important role and bravery cannot be denied in this particular stage of the war. Much like their brothers from all over the country, our war veterans of Pangasinan showed the world that the Filipino is capable of great heroism.”

He lauded the efforts of the Pangasinan provincial government by refurbishing the Vete­rans’ Park to preserve the legacy and history of the World War II veterans. He said this is not a tourist attraction but serves as a reminder to never allow foreign invaders to take the Filipino land and to continuously work for peace.