THE 1942 BATAAN DEATH MARCH

The Philippines has a long list of well-written and accounted historical books that dates
way back to the 15th hundreds. The beauty and natural bounty of nature of this small
archipelago made it known to the whole world. The astonishing wonders that it offers was
quickly realized by navigators during the era of colonization and tagged this wondrous land as
the Pearl of the East.
Many countries have tried to colonize Philippines, but it was the Spaniards who have
become successful of sustaining power over the Filipino government for more than three
centuries. During the end of their regime, Americans were already in the midst of the battle
against the occupants and presumed the positions that were left empty when the Spanish
officials left the country. With the hope of new beginnings, Americans assisted on leading the
country for three decades before returning the government to its rightful leaders – Filipinos.
The liberation of the Filipinos was not celebrated long for when the Pearl Harbor was
bombed on December 07, 1941 (American military base), Japanese began the invasion of
Philippine territories.
On April 9, 1942, after months of war against the enemy, 75,000 American and Filipino
soldiers have surrendered to the Japanese troops. The historical 65 mile-march of the captured
soldiers was marked as one of the bloodiest wars of all time with an estimated amount of ten
thousand fatalities.
Now known as the Bataan Death March, this occasion marked the surrender of the
whole Philippines to the succumbing power of the Japanese. The soldiers who have survived
the march from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac has become prisoners of war and have
experienced pain, starvation, and harassment from their oppressors have waited for three
more years to be freed before the recapture of the Philippine government lead by Gen. Douglas
McArthur.
Today, a monumental marker has been built on the starting point of the tragic occasion
which is meant to honor and relive the bravery and patriotism of Filipino soldiers as well as
American soldiers on the horrific turn of events in April, 1942.
Filipinos draw inspiration and pride from many aspects of Philippines. But, to me, I will
always choose to honor the courage and bravery of young Filipino soldiers who have yielded
their swords, outdated armory and weaponry to fight against the oppressors of the land despite
their young age and the lives of their families.
References:
About Bataan. (2020). Retrieved from Bataan March: https:// bataanmarch.com/about-bataan/
Mansoor, P. (2017, April). The Bataan Death March. Retrieved from Origins: Current Events in Historical
Perspective: https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/april-2017-bataan-death-march