MANILA 1945: THE FORGOTTEN ATROCITIES

 KNOW (Recall)
o What have you learned from the documentary film?
o The relationship between the Japan and the Philippines still remained mutually at
peace despite the atrocities Japan caused in the World War 2
o Several Filipinos are not familiar with what happened in 1945
o Japanese invaded Philippines in the year 1941 as they believed that the Asian race
is only for the Asian
o Japanese propaganda during the World War 2 had not been successful as it does
not align with how they treat Filipinos which in turn had the community grow
more hatred against the Japanese invaders.
o Japanese tend to slap Filipinos in the face (greatest humiliation deemed for
Filipinos)
o After being attacked by the Japanese forces in 1941, General MacArthur fleeted
from the Philippines for the overwhelming attack. This year was when he
promised to come back for his fellow men and the Philippines uttering his famous
line “I shall return.”
o Manila was declared an Open city then Japanese took over the place in 1942.
o The resistance of Americans and Filipinos were fierce but several of this
resistance surrendered, one of which were the group of resistance in the battle of
Bataan. Thus, the well-known horrible event happened that was the Bataan death
march.
o The Japanese ruled the country for 3 years. Despite the “independence” the
Japanese gave, the suffering of the Filipinos did not stop especially the guerillas
(forces against the Japanese).
o Year 1944, American air forces bombed places appointed by the guerillas,
however they still caused harm to civilians; thus, it was called “mixed blessings of
liberation.” MacArthur returned to the Philippines in Leyte with over 200
thousand troops
 o After this, the Japanese formed strategies to secure the place as they prepared
bombs and other attacks for the upcoming battle. Orders from the Japanese
officials were to destroy manila and the civilians once the troop of the opposition
arrives.
o UST’s liberation as an internment camp happened in 1945. During the liberation,
the gates were destroyed and there were an exchange of explosions and gun fire
everywhere.
o After internees were freed, the people were not aware of what the Japanese had
strategized. The opposition had set manila into ablaze; thus, signifying that the
Japanese were still not giving up, and so it gave rise to the battle of manila.
o Many atrocities happened in the battle of Manila which included massacre,
torture, arson, rape, beheading, bayonet killing of infants due to the Japanese
forces. However, the more disheartening part was when Filipinos betrayed their
own—they were called the Makapili.
o The atrocities were not caused by impulsivity of the Japanese army but were
caused by a grandeur plan of the Japanese officials.
o Filipinos who collaborated with the opposition were pardoned. All Japanese
prisoners were sent back to Japan provided that they will never set foot in the
country again.
o “Apology was more than due”

 WANT TO KNOW (React)

o What are the particular events in the topic has called your attention?
o The year 1941 when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the Philippines had
baffled me as it reminded me of Germany’s tyrannous dictator Hitler’s objective
to “cleanse” the German race. This vision was same and maybe shared with the
Nazis as the Japanese Army also wanted the Asians for the Asians but had shown
a brutal way of cleansing instead.
o Another event in history that was very significant for me was when General
MacArthur retreated due to the overwhelming attack of the Japanese which was
also the time when he said “I shall return.” This event in history has caught my
 attention as I had just recently learned the history of this famous line. However, it
disappointed me that it took almost 3 years before MacArthur came back and in
those 3 years there were no support and therefore bloodshed happened—I can
only imagine what the Filipino civilians and other captives have to go through
every day in that span of time.
o The Bataan death march in 1942 was mentioned to be one of the most brutal
tortures to Americans and Filipinos, and this has caught my attention as I’ve read
about this in a book and it was only when I watched this documentary have I been
made fully aware of what these soldiers went through.
o The liberation of UST that happened in the year 1945 has struck me the most as I
have no idea that the university went through so much destruction and have a
horrendous history of torture inside the main building which, coincidentally, is
also the building designated to the college of science.
o The battle of Manila in 1945 was the climax of the World War 2 in the country,
that’s why this is very much significant for me as it was the event where people
cried, hope, and unfortunately lost lives as well. The battle had ended and the
Japanese Army lost, however, the cost for this win was devastating—lives of the
many, infrastructures, and many more atrocities.
 LEARNED (Apply)
o In what particular situation in the society nowadays can you apply your learned
concepts and developed values today?
o I have learned three things from the documentary, these are: being more aware of
our country’s history, respecting those who fought for the country, and the
demand for accountability.
o Situation in society
o “Apology was more than due”
o