US veteran soldiers visit Buhisan caves

CEBU, Philippines- Many may just disregard the caves in Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City. But for a group of foreign soldiers and war veterans, the sites are not just historical but also mean a lot to a number of families and organizations.

Yesterday, a group of US soldiers under the Americal Division visited the Barangay Buhisan Japanese caves.

Americal is the combination of America and Caledonia, as American soldiers were formed in New Caledonia.

David Colamaria, one of the soldiers, felt emotional as he visited the caves where his grandfather fought against the Japanese army.

“I was very emotional while getting ready. I was very close to him and I have been studying it for 15 years. I never thought I would get to come in here, coming in here is very emotional,” he said.

Japanese forces reportedly ran to the mountains and sought their defense under pillboxes and caves when the Americal Division landed in Cebu on March 26, 1945 during World War II.

Colamaria narrated that his grandfather, Edward Monahan, who was a sergeant in the 182nd Infantry, fought in the war with the United States Army.

Terry Davenport, a member of the Department of Pacific Area-Veterans of Foreign Wars, said that their visit at the Buhisan cave is part of their tour.

They are set to explore other historical museums, warfare bases and bunkers in Lilo-an town, Toledo City, Talisay City, among others.

Davenport explained that their group is under the same army unit of the Americal Division which entered Cebu islands.

Another soldier was David Taylor, also a World War II historian of the Americal Division Veterans Association, who served during the Vietnam War as an infantry officer.

“I was in the Vietnam war under the Americal Division, the same division that invaded Cebu island, also Leyte, Samar, Negros,” he shared.

Taylor said the visit was a “search of history” as he considers what he had seen and felt as a great experience.

“We wanted to understand the sacrifices that were made by the soldiers that went before us in World War II and coming up this hill and see the cave, we understand the sacrifices were great, we needed to see that and feel it, that is why we’re here,” he said.

“This is amazing to see the rough terrain, and everything. It is amazing what the soldier have gone through. Most of us are dead and there are a few left, we are here to learn what they went through, what they experienced,” he said further.

Taylor said that there are eight of them who are in Cebu, including David Eichhorn, Tony Commander, Spencer Paba, Vern Pike, a retired colonel of the US army.

Meanwhile, for his part, Buhisan Barangay Captain Barete Greman said they wanted the caves to be declared as heritage sites.

He said there are more than 20 tunnels, based on the accounts of the locals residents of the barangay.

“Amo gisabotan sa (City) Council himoan og resolution nga i-preserve ang heritage site sa Buhisan, ang mga Japanese tunnel diri ato jud gamiton as a tool to attract tourist nga makatabang sa economic activities sa mga local residents,” he said.   (FREEMAN)