CITY OF MALOLOS — Fifteen alive Bulakenyo veterans were recognized by the Provincial Government of Bulacan through Resolution No. 641-T’2023 that honors the courage and vital participation of veterans in World War II during the “Ika-80 Anibersaryo ng Pagkakatatag ng Bulacan Military Area (BMA) at Paggawad ng Parangal sa mga Beterano ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig” recently at Bustos Gymnasium and BMA Park in Bustos, Bulacan.
Out of 15, only 11 members of Veterans Federation of the Philippine (VFP) attended and received plaque of recognition and a copy of the resolution including Lolita G. Abela of Santa Maria, Emilia G. Bautista, Restituto N. Enriquez and Gregorio G. Silvestre of Bocaue, Serafin P. Layug of Pulilan, Miguel E. Capiral of Obando, Serafin V. Bernabe and Soledad M. Sanchez from the City of Malolos, Segundo Y. Pamintuan of San Miguel, Nazario V. Constantino, Emerita C. Salas and Emerenciana M. Santiago from the City of Baliwag, Gelacio L. Dela Cruz of Marilao, Nicolas E. Salamat of Paombong and Leonardo S. Moya of San Rafael.
Bulacan Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro together with PVAO Asec. Restituto Aguilar who represented PVAO Administrator Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Bustos Mayor Francis Albert G. Juan, Vice Mayor Martin SJ. Angeles and Board Members Arthur Legaspi and Richard Roque represented by his chief of staff Maricel Santiago led the wreath laying activity before the statue of Gen. Alejo Santos and awarding of recognition to the guerillas of WWII.
In his message, PVAO Deputy Administrator Asst. Secretary Restituto L. Aguilar thanked the PGB and the Municipal Government of Bustos for their unwavering support to the veterans.
“Nais kong pasalamatan ang Pamahalaang Lokal ng Bustos at ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan dahil sa inyong suporta sa ating mga beterano at sa inyong mga gawaing nagpapalawig sa kasaysayan ng ating mga beterano at mga Bayaning Bulakenyo. Patuloy po nating gunitain ang ating nakaraan. Ito po ang magbibigay sa atin ng karunungan. Ang kasaysayan ang siyang gabay sa ating pagtahak ng daan tungo sa mas mapayapa, malaya, at maunlad na bansa, “Aguilar said.
Meanwhile, 13 deceased members of VFP were also honored including Lourdes R. Nepomuceno, Artemio C. Reyes and Camilo E. Lapat of the City of San Jose Del Monte, Salvador M. Garingan and Marcelo G. Lorenzo of San Miguel, Florencio D. Luat of San Ildefonso; Cornelio S. Santos of Marilao, Nicanor T. Santos of Hagonoy, Tomas B. Mendoza and Pablo V. Sta. Ana of San Rafael, Reynaldo C. Tobias of Santa Maria and Cristina R. Viesca and Rosalina N. Villalobos from the City of Meycauayan.
BMA is a NHCP historical marker and was created under the East Central Luzon Guerilla Area. The historical marker of BMA shows letters, memo, orders written from 1943-1944 about the guerilla and military operations against Japan that happened in the area. (UnliNews Online)
