Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga- More than 800 PRO3 personnel are deployed for the commemoration of the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan and observance of the Philippine Veterans Week with this year’s theme “Pagpaparangal sa Kagitingan ng mga Beterano: Saligan para sa Nagkakaisang Pilipino” which signifies the heroism and great contribution of Filipino Veterans in achieving the freedom and independence of our country.
Said personnel are deployed to provide security coverage during the event in Bataan today, April 9, 2024.
PRO3 Director PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr. said that all roads leading to the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan are now secured and manned by PNP personnel in the region.
“Security and safety of all the delegates especially His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, President of the Philippines during the commemoration is our primary concern, continuous police presence is being conducted as part of our security measures to ensure the safety of our prominent guests including Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Y. Ewing from the Embassy of the United States of America, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairperson Lisa Guerrero Nakpil and tourists who are also on vacation here in Bataan”, he further said.
Historically, on April 9, 1942, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers stationed in Corregidor and Bataan formally surrendered to the Japanese army under Lt. General Masaharu Homma.
The prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac in what would infamously be known as the “Bataan Death March.”
The Dambana ng Kagitingan was built on top of Mount Samat in 1966 in memory of those soldiers.
The shrine’s most distinct feature is a 92-meter Memorial Cross made of marble, steel, and concrete.
At the base of the cross is a sculptural base relief that depicts important historical events and battles in the Philippines
