Victims of Philippine battles remembered on 80th anniv. of end of WWII

CALIRAYA, Philippines (Kyodo) — The Japanese Embassy in the Philippines held a ceremony Friday to remember all those who suffered and died in the fierce battles that took place in the Southeast Asian country under the Japanese occupation during World War II, which ended 80 years ago.

Around 250 participants, mostly Japanese nationals but also several Philippine government officials, observed a moment of silence, and offered flowers and prayers during the ceremony held at the Japanese Memorial Garden in Caliraya, Laguna province south of Manila.

The Japanese occupation started in 1942 and by the time Japan surrendered to the U.S.-led Allied Powers on Aug. 15, 1945, the battles in the Philippines had resulted in the deaths of 1 million Filipinos and more than 500,000 Japanese.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba sent messages to the ceremony, expressing their condolences and calling for peace.

Foreign Assistant Secretary Evangeline Ducrocq became the first ranking Philippine government official to attend the annual event in several years and read Marcos’ message.

“I recall the spirit of reconciliation from which was born, in one generation, the deep friendship and affection between two peoples once torn apart by war,” the president wrote.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo underscored the broadened scope of strengthened Philippine-Japan ties since the war ended, adding “We report this progress to the spirits of those who perished, honoring the remarkable journey we have taken together, overcoming a harsh history to achieve this friendship and cooperation.”

Referring to the ongoing wars of today, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Endo said, “We must deeply engrave in our hearts the devastation of war and the preciousness of peace, ensuring that the memories of these tragedies are never allowed to fade and that this legacy is passed on.”

Ishiba’s message, which was read by Endo, saw the Japanese prime minister pledge that his government will ensure the return of the remains of the Japanese war dead to their homeland.

He also said people of Japanese descent living in the Philippines, mostly the offspring of Japanese fathers who moved to the country before and during the war, would be allowed to obtain Japanese citizenship.