Death March

 

Bataan Death March - Definition, Dates & Survivors - HISTORY

Thousands of our countrymen died as a result of these atrocities. I believe that their efforts are something to be proud of. Their bravery should be remembered still. However, the fact is that Filipinos fought in a war that was not theirs to fight during WWII. We were nothing more than pawns. And this irritates me. That's the thing about wars, you see. Its ramifications last for centuries. The Fall of Bataan occurred 75 years ago, and its echoes can still be seen. We, the fortunate ones who were not alive during those dark times, are aware of the aftermath of World War II, even if only subconsciously. It's woven into the very fabric of our culture, seeping into our attitudes and prejudices.

Araw ng Kagitingan, also known as Bataan Day and Bataan and Corregidor Day is a national observance in the Philippines which commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II. It falls on April 9, although in 2009, Araw ng Kagitingan is a non-working holiday that is part of a long weekend in the Philippines. World War II veterans parade in different cities in the Philippines on this day. The Day of Valor commemorates the heroism of Filipinos and American Soldiers when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II. Major General Edward P. King, of the United States Army, was forced to surrender more than 76,000 Filipinos, Chinese and American soldiers to the Japanese at dawn on April 9, 1942. The soldiers were forced to take a 90-mile (about 145 kilometers) hike to Camp O’Donnell in San Fernando. Thousands of prisoners died during the hike (also known as the Bataan Death March) due to starvation, dehydration and diseases before they could reach the camp.

The Day of Valor was a national observance until a Letter of Instruction No. 1087, dated on November 26, 1980, and made “Araw ng Kagitingan” a national public holiday to honor the people who helped bring democracy and freedom in the Philippines during the World War II era. Executive Order No. 203, dated on June 30, 1987, further proclaimed April 9 as “Araw Ng Kagitingan” to pay tribute to the heroes of Bataan, Corregidor and Bessang.

Despite the trials of defeat, the captured soldiers stood strong and heroes emerged from the event. The surrender of Bataan hastened the fall of Corregidor. However, without this stand, the Japanese might have quickly overrun all of the US bases in the Pacific. Bataan forced them to slow down, giving the allies valuable time to prepare for conflicts such as the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, which followed closely thereafter. American and Filipino liberation forces eventually retook the Bataan peninsula on February 8, 1945. Araw ng Kagitingan is a memorial of Filipino freedom fighters' victories and heroism. 

References:

·        “Bataan Day”.  Wikipedia (2021). Retrieved on May 3, 2021. Retrieved from.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Day

·        “The Day of Valor in Philippines”. Time and Date (1995-2021). Retrieved on May 3, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.timeandd5`1ate.com/holidays/philippines/araw-ng-kagitingan

·        “To Bear the Burden of the Past”. Celineism (2017). Retrieved on May 3, 2021. Retrieved from https://www.celineism.com/2017/04/7th-araw-ng-kagitingan-bataan.html        

·  “A Show of Valor – Celebrating Araw ng Kagitingan”. GOVPH (2018). Retrieved on May 3, 2021. Retrieved from https://dict.gov.ph/a-show-of-valor-celebrating-araw-ng-kagitingan/

 ·"Bataan Death March - Definitions, Dates & Survivors". History (2019). Retrieved on May 3, 2021. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bataan-death-march

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