MARIVELES, Bataan – Municipal Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on Thursday unveiled the national historical marker called “Pinagsimulan ng Death March.”
The marker states:
PINAGSIMULAN NG DEATH MARCH
MAHIGIT 70,000 SUNDALONG PILIPINO AT AMERIKANONG MGA BIHAG NG DIGMAAN NOONG IKALAWANG DIGMAANG PANDAIGDIG ANG NAGSIMULANG MAGMARTSA SA UTOS NG MGA SUNDALONG HAPONES MULA SA MARIVELES, BATAAN, 10 ABRIL 1942, AT BAGAC, BATAAN, 11 ABRIL 1942. NAKARANAS NG PAGMAMALUPIT, MATINDING PAGOD, GUTOM AT UHAW ANG MGA BIHAG. MARAMI ANG NAMATAY AT ANG IBA AY NAGKASAKIT. PAGDATING SA SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA, ISINAKAY SILA SA TREN PATUNGONG CAPAS, TARLAC. IKINASAWI NG MARAMI ANG KAWALAN NG HANGIN BUNGA NG PAGSISIKSIKAN SA MGA BAGON. NAKARATING ANG MGA NATITIRANG BUHAY SA CAPAS, TARLAC, AT MULING PINALAKAD NG ANIM NA KILOMETRO HANGGANG SA BILANGGUAN NG CAMP O’DONNEL, 15 ABRIL 1942. KINILALA SA KASAYSAYAN BILANG DEATH MARCH.
NHCP Deputy Executive Director Carmina R. Arevalo joined Concepcion in the official turn over ceremeonies along with Vice Mayor Angelito Rubia, members of the municipal council, and the veterans from Mariveles and stand as witnesses during the signing of the certificate of transfer.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine history through its museums, research and publication, and preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.
Mayor Concepcion also announced that a World War II museum will be put up at the Death Marker to enhance the people’s sense of history and nationalism. A grand parade will also be held on April 10 to commemorate the infamous death march. It will start at the Mariveles Airfield. –Mhike R. Cigaral • Photos courtesy of Larry Biscocho (NET25)
