Mayor Albert D. Chua led the celebration of the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan at the Batac Veterans Park and Shrine, commonly known as the Jungle City or Pangasaan, in Barangay Camandingan today.
The commemorative event pays tribute to the veterans who courageously fought for our freedom during World War II, most especially the Batacqueño veterans.
Mayor Chua, the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Windell D. Chua, Dep Ed Batac headed by SDS Anselmo Aludino, and the Veterans Association of the Philippines Ilocos Norte Chapter took part in the wreath-laying ceremony, together with the Marine Batallion Landing Team 8 under the 4th Marine Brigade.
Jungle City or Pangasaan, the war name of the place, was the seat of the military government of the Municipality of Batac, Ilocos Norte under the leadership of Mayor Catalino P. Acosta who never surrendered the municipal government to the Japanese Imperial Forces from December 8, 1941 to February 28, 1945.
After the wreath-laying ceremony held in Brgy. Camandingan, a simple wreath-laying was also held in Barangay Colo, at the monument where the head of 1st Lt. Isabelo Monje, a World War II soldier, was said to be found when he was captured and beheaded by Japanese soldiers in Sitio Aticocong, Brgy. Colo on June 22, 1943.
Thelma Monje Echiverri, the eldest daughter of Isabelo Monje joined the ceremony and narrated her memories of her father and his bravery.
