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For Nueva Vizcaya veterans, the war’s still on

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya—For the remaining World War II veterans here, who are now on their twilight years, their roles in the military combat duty may have already ended but the war still rages on.

But instead of fighting the external enemies of the Filipino nation just like they had been doing some 65 years ago, the Novo Vizcayano veterans have pitched a new war - war against poverty and corruption - which they said were part and parcel of what they have been fighting all throughout.

This new war was manifested by the members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP)-Solano Post in yesterday’s commemoration here of the Araw ng Kagitingan, which was also the 30th (Pearl) founding anniversary of the VFP-Solano Post with its theme “Probity and Righteousness over Corruption.”

“This year’s theme demonstrates another aspect of the concern for others which our war veterans had shown in the past,” said Councilor Regie Valino-Valdez, who authored a town resolution exhorting the gallantly and heroism of Filipino veterans in defense of the country’s independence.

But for 87-year-old Death March survivor Cayetano Baria, the fight against poverty and corruption was not something new since this is part and parcel of their fight for liberty and freedom.

Enduring the sweltering heat of the sun for welcome honors to Francisco San Miguel, VPF national secretary general, the around 200 war veterans from World War II, now on their 80s and 90s, as well as the Korean and Vietnam war converged at the World War II monument at the Heritage Memorial Park here to give due recognition to their fallen comrades as well as their gallant efforts to resist foreign invasion.

One of the biggest VFP posts in Cagayan Valley, the Solano VFP post had actually started its war against poverty and corruption by starting within their ranks several years ago with the putting up of a multi-purpose cooperative where they could avail of financial assistance at lower rates, in addition to the measly monthly pensions they were receiving from the government.

According to retired colonel Lorenzo Molina, VFP-Solano post commander, non-members could also avail of said borrowings but with collateral, as additional income for their organization, which, in turn, will redound to the benefits of its war veteran members, who were all practically penniless after the liberation.

Meanwhile, highlighting yesterday’s Araw ng Kagitingan rites was the awarding of certificates of recognition to the remaining four Novo Vizcayanos Death March survivors - Baria, Vicente Campos, Valentin Jose and Juan Corpuz, all served in the 11th Division of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), particularly assigned in Bataan and Corregidor .

Campos and Jose, however, were unable to personally receive their award as both were now bedridden.

Corpuz, the oldest at 90 years, and Baria, while reminiscing on the hardships they had encountered during the infamous Death March were one in wishing that what they had been forced to endure during Second World II would not be repeated in future generations.

“I never once thought of giving up. I thank God that I am still alive and I hope that my heirs will not experience what I had experienced during the war,” said Corpuz, a USAFFE private first class.

The four were among the 54,000 prisoners of war who survived the Death March – a 140-kilometer walk from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac – which described by war historian as characterized by wide-ranging physical abuse, murder, and savagery.

Molina amplified on the present battle of the veterans by saying that though they have successfully defended the country against foreign domination, what they had been fighting for appears to be going to waste with the poverty and corruption being experienced in society.

“It appears that the fight of the veterans for the freedom and liberty of their fellow citizens will be at risk if the present condition of Filipinos is beset by poverty and corruption,” said Molina, a retired Philippine Constabulary official and veteran of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea in the 1950s

Valdez, VFP honorary member here, said the municipal government led by Mayor Philip Dacayo was negotiating with public and private hospitals in the province to study possibilities of a memorandum of agreement that would provide the veterans here with free medical consultations and a higher discount in the purchase of medicines. CHARLIE C. LAGASCA

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