MANILA, Philippines — As the 70th anniversary of the return of American Gen. Douglas MacArthur to the Philippines is celebrated Monday, quaint similarities have been discovered between the World War II event in 1944 and the relief operations in 2013 both on the shores of Leyte.
United States warships and transports arrived at the shores of Red Beach, Palo, Leyte on October 20, 1944 toward the conclusion of World War II and the fall of the Japanese forces in the country.
American and Japanese ships also arrived in November 2013 after the country braved the might of Super Typhoon Yolanda to aid in the relief and rescue operations at Leyte.
"It is interesting to note that upon the destruction wrought by typhoon Yolanda on November 2013, ships bearing similar names to those part of the Leyte Landing went to Leyte to take part in relief operations," the Presidential Communications Development Strategic and Planning Office said in a statement.
"Both American and Japanese ships—this time, as allies—worked together to help the ravaged area," it added.
Similarly named ships in the Leyte Landing operations and Yolanda relief operations
Leyte Landing | Typhoon Yolanda | |
| Japan | Battleship Ise | Destroyer Ise |
| United States of America | Battleship USS Washington (BB-56) (named after the Washington state) | Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) |
| United States of America | Cruiser USS Denver (CL-58) | USS Denver (LPD-9) |
The Malacañang agency also noted that the BRP Miguel Malvar, currently in active Philippine Navy service, was part of the events in Leyte on October 20,1944. The Malvar, formerly named USS Brattleboro, was transferred to the Vietnamese Navy in 1966 and was commissioned by the Philippines in 1977. - Camille Diola
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