PALO, LEYTE, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III recognized the important role of friends and foes of World War II and the united efforts in responding to the devastation of typhoon Yolanda last year.
President Aquino made the statement as he led the ceremonies for the 70th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary held at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in this town, with this year’s theme “Leyte 1944, Leyte 2014: Yesterday’s Heroes, Today’s Inspiration on the Road to Recovery.”
The Leyte Landing Anniversary celebration was attended by diplomats from the countries that played key roles in the historic event of WWII, led by US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Japan’s Deputy Chief of Mission Tetsuro Amano and officials from the embassies of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada.
Philippine officials who attended the event were Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines Executive Director Ludovico Badoy, PhilPost Postmaster General Ma. Josefina de la Cruz, who presented to the president the Leyte Landing commemorative stamps, and Vicente Aquino of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas who presented the commemorative coins.
Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Palo Mayor Matin Petilla led the Leyte officials during the rites.
According to Interaskyon.com, “the celebration interestingly, comes three weeks ahead of the one-year anniversary of typhoon Yolanda, the aftermath of which had seen American forces and their World War II enemies, the Japanese, united in the effort to help the Philippines recover from the super typhoon that killed thousands and devastated Leyte, including Palo town, the scene of the Leyte Gulf Landing rites.”
Aquino, in acknowledging the roles of these countries in helping the Philippines address the Yolanda devastation, said: “We saw, just last year, vessels bearing the proud names of those that had fought at Leyte Gulf,” and later “once more journeying to the Philippines” specifically in areas in Leyte province hardly-hit by Yolanda on November 13, last year.
The president recalled seventy years ago, ships of these countries were engaged in battle, seeking to eliminate the threat of the other. “Last November, they came here, as partners, to demonstrate their unity with the Filipino people at a time of such massive loss and tragedy.”
The Leyte Landing day was a pivotal moment in the effort by the US-led Allied Forces to turn the tide against the Japanese invaders who had occupied the Philippines since 1941, he said, adding that the two forces are now united as friends in their desire to help the Filipino people.
Interaksyon.com further reported: “The Leyte Landing was significant to the Philippines because, besides starting the biggest naval battle that lasted till December 1944, it re-established the Philippine Commonwealth government that had been driven to exile by the Japanese occupation, with President Sergio Osmena coming in together with US Field Marshal Gen. Douglas MacArthur, of the famous “I have returned” declaration.
A special report was prepared by Malacanang’s Museum and Library and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office that provided a brief background of the events leading to and during the Leyte Landing.
It said: “At around 4 p.m. of October 20, General MacArthur, along with President Osmena of the Commonwealth government-in-exile, and the general’s aide-de-camp Brigadier General Carlos P. Romulo, landed on the shores of Red Beach in Palo, Leyte.” —with reports from Marlon Necito A. Taño and Interaskyon TV5.com