MANILA, Philippines — A 91-year-old Filipino veteran who fought against Japanese forces during World War II believes that armed conflict is no longer the way to solve matters today.
Ricardo Madayag, among the veterans honored on Wednesday in commemoration of the Fall of Bataan, approved the Philippine government's bid to settle the maritime row through the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
The country was celebrating the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).
"Might in settling such matters is no longer accepted in the civilized world," Madayag, who was part of Hunters ROTC Guerrilla, said in a state news report.
The nonagenarian was a teenager studying in the Zamora Memorial College in Albay when the Imperial Japanese Army attacked and occupied the country in Dec. 8, 1941.
Madayag joined the guerilla movement against the Japanese. The guerilla forces employed hit-and-run attacks and sabotage against Japanese troops patrolling the countryside.
Guerilla activities prevented the Japanese from taking complete hold of the Philippines until the American forces arrived in October 1944.
Madayag fought alongside the Allied soldiers, culminating in the Battle of Bessang Pass in Ilocos Sur, until the end of the war.
Bessang Pass was the last stronghold of the Japanese forces under General Tomoyuki Yamashita and part of his triangular defense to guard the Ifugao borders.
The Filipino-American offensive claimed victory after four months of bloody struggle in 1945. - Camille Diola