Battle For The Liberation Of Baguio

Today in a Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 21, 1945

The Battle for the Liberation of Baguio began. It was part of General Douglas MacArthur’s campaign to liberate the Philippines during World War II. 

Troops from the United States Army's 33rd Infantry Division, together with regiments of the Philippine guerrilla force United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon, began their drive towards Baguio. 

By March, Baguio was within range for the Allied artilleries. 

President Jose P. Laurel, who was installed by the Japanese to head the Second Philippine Republic, left Baguio on March 22, 1945 and arrived in Taiwan on March 30. 

Other members of the puppet government and Japanese civilians were ordered to evacuate Baguio on March 30. 

General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the commander of the Japanese 14th Area Army and his staff relocated to Bambang. General Yamashita made Baguio his headquarters in December of 1944. 

It was only in April when a major offensive was carried by the Americans against the Japanese troops. 

The 37th Infantry Division launched a two-division assault from the west and south. 

A six-day battle was fought in the west with tank-versus-tank battle between the American M4 Sherman’s of the US Army’s Company B, 775th Tank Battalion against the Type 97s of the Imperial Japanese Army’s 5th Tank Company, 10th Tank Regiment. 

The Battle for the Liberation of Baguio ended on April 26, 1945.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: Handmade by Heroes

Pres. Laurel Signs Proclamation No. 30

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 22, 1944

Pres. Jose P. Laurel signed Proclamation No. 30, proclaiming a state of war existed between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America and Great Britain effective September 23, 1944 at 10:00 o'clock in the morning. 

The Proclamation also declared the Pact of Alliance between the Philippines and Japan, and appealed to all nations and peoples of the world for amity and goodwill. 

It pleaded to the United States that the Philippines be spared the suffering and destruction owing to the resumption of military operations on Philippine soil.     

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

President Laurel Declares Anthem And Flag As National Symbols

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 22, 1943

President Jose P. Laurel issued Presidential Decree No. 211 declaring the Philippine National Anthem and the National Flag as official symbols. 

During General Emilio Aguinaldo’s proclamation of Philippine Independence in his mansion in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898, the flag was raised while the anthem was played. 

The National Anthem, which was called the Marcha Filipina Nacional was composed by Julian Felipe and played by the San Francisco de Malabon Band. 

A year later, Jose Palma wrote the Spanish lyrics. The flag which was designed by Aguinaldo, was sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, the niece of Jose Rizal.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

President Jose P. Laurel Declares Martial Law

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 21, 1944

President Jose P. Laurel issued Proclamation No. 29 placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law and suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus. 

This declaration came after Allied forces bombed Davao on September 18, 1944. 

On September 22, 1944, he issued Proclamation No. 30 declaring that a state of war existed between the Philippines against the United States and Great Britain. 

Laurel, who took his oath of office as President of the 2nd Philippine Republic before Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Yulo on October 14, 1943 was later superceded by the Makapili which was organized in December of 1944. 

While American forces and Filipino guerrillas engaged the Japanese forces in different battles and defeating them, Laurel’s government was moved to Baguio in the last month of 1944, and Laurel’s small party was taken to Tokyo, Japan in March of 1945.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org