Japanese flag still to be raised at Landing rites

Despite resistance from World War II veterans, the Talisay City Council agreed to raise the Japanese flag during the city's 61st celebration of the American Landing next month.

Although it was part of the other matters discussed during its regular session yesterday, the council still believed that the tradition of raising the Japanese flag alongside that of the Philippines should continue despite the sentiments of the veterans.

The city will commemorate the historic landing of the US Army along the shores of barangay Poblacion on March 26.

The council also planned to put up statues of those American soldiers who landed on the shoreline to "immortalize" their arrival. In fact, the City Engineer's Office under Audie Bacasmas presented yesterday the project plan to the council.

Councilor Shirley Belleza told the council that Filipino veterans have opposed to the idea of having to "salute" to the flag of Japan whose soldiers had raped and killed their children.

But Councilor Allan Bucao said that raising the Japanese flag that has been done during the past American Landing celebrations "does not mean we praise them (the Japanese) but to commemorate."

Belleza also said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines has already made a statement opposing the move of the veterans as it will not be good for the country in its foreign affair relations.

Belleza said she would try to appease the veterans and explain to them that what had happened was already a part of the past and that the people should reunite. - Liv G. Campo