"The Bravery and Suffering of our People; The Fall of Bataan"

         Araw ng Kagitingan ('Day of Valor'), 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, its celebration was moved to April 6 to avoid it from coinciding with Maundy Thursday.

        On April 9, 1942, officials in command of Bataan—where Filipino and American forces maintained the main resistance in the war against the Japanese—formally surrendered. Through the Voice of Freedom radio broadcast, Third Lieutenant Normando Ildefonso Reyes—reading a message prepared by Captain Salvador P. Lopez—informed the Philippines and the world from Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor: “Bataan has fallen.”

       On 9 April 1942, Luzon Force, Bataan commander Major General Edward P King, Jr, surrendered more than 76,000 of his starving and disease-ridden troops (64,000 Filipinos and 12,000 Americans) to Japan. As captives, the soldiers were forced to endure the infamous 140-kilometre Bataan Death March to Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. Along the way, thousands died due to famine, heat prostration, untreated wounds, and wanton or execution-style murder. 

        Historians believe that only 54,000 of the 76,000 prisoners were able to reach Camp O'Donnell. The exact number of deaths and escapees was difficult to assess. The Philippines’ surrender to Japan led to the world’s worst atrocities in modern warfare. The Japanese troops did not provide food and water to their captives; as a result, many soldiers became weaker and started to fall behind the group.

        Those who fell behind were beaten and killed. Those who were not lucky enough were driven over by trucks and other army vehicles. The march lasted for six days. The prisoners who survived were only rescued in early 1945 during the Raid at Cabanatuan. 

By virtue of Executive Order No. 203, s. 1987, April 9 of every year is Araw ng Kagitingan. Proclamation No. 466, s. 1989 on the other hand, designated April 5 to 11 of every year as Philippine Veterans Week in order to “promote, preserve and memorialize the principles, ideals and deeds of the Filipino war veteran as a means to enhance patriotism and love of country, especially among the youth of the land.”

The week-long observance is an occasion to honor not only the Filipino war veterans who died or served the country but also to remember those who rendered honorable military service in defending the country in times of war or peace. This is to gratefully acknowledge their contributions in preserving our sovereignty and defending our national security. 

As the youth of this generation, we must remember our history and our people who have risked it all to serve our country. We won't be where we are now if not for the brave souls that fought for our freedom, for our country, with the thoughts of the future where our people could live free and independent, and not having to suffer under anyone's ruling.

References:

• https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/2V54GMH6LNDY5MGTR5NKGO2UAE.jpg
• https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/heres-everything-that-happened-on-araw-ng-kagitingan
• https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/araw-ng-kagitingan/
  
• https://cdn.ihsmarkit.com/www/blog/ra-philippines-flag-153870086-featured.jpg