CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — The Central Luzon Regional Police Office has deployed 800 personnel for the commemoration of the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan and observance of the Philippine Veterans Week on Tuesday.

President Ferdinand Marcos led the commemoration activities, with 800 police personnel deployed to provide security coverage during the event.

The event has the theme “Pagpaparangal sa Kagitingan ng mga Beterano: Saligan para sa Nagkakaisang Pilipino” that signifies the heroism and contribution of the Filipino and allied war veterans in achieving the freedom and independence of our country.

The president was joined by 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 Teodoro and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Lisa Guerrero Nakpil.

Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., regional police director of Central Luzon said that “Security and safety of all the delegates during the commemoration [rites] … is our primary concern, continuous police presence is being conducted as part of our security measures to ensure the safety of our prominent guests.”

It can be recalled that 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 in Capas, Tarlac, where they would become part of the infamous event 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.

📷: Presidential Communications Office