By FREDDIE G. LAZARO

TAGUDIN, Ilocos Sur—National and local officials and hundreds of surviving World War II and their relatives coverged last June 14, in a road junction in barangay Bitalag here to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the epic “Battle of Bessang Pass”.

House Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson, Administrator Ernesto Carolina of the Philippine Veterans Administration, Retired General Arnulfo Banez, National Commander of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP_NL)l; and Tagudin Mayor Jun Versoza jointly unveiled the Bitalag Junction Marker to honor the valor and heroism of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who staked their lives to liberate the Bessang Pass that finally led to the surrender of the Japanese forces.

Singson said the place is very historical considering the fact that the Bitalag road junction then served as the vital Japanese outpost assaulted by elements of the 121st USAFIP-NL on January 8, 1945 till it was captured four days later.

He said that the siege of the Bitalag junction was the initial action in the battle of Bessang Pass, located farther east whose capture on June 14, 1945 hastened the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines during the World War II.

The Bitalag road junction is the gateway to the Bessang Pass which can be reached in about two-hour ride uphill. Bessang Pass is located along Highway 4 in barangay Malaya Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

Bessang Pass, about 5,250 feet above sea level, is traversed by Highway 4, west of Cervantes, which served as the backdoor to General Tomoyuki Yamashita’s last-ditch defense in the last stage of World War II.

It was here were monument stands honoring the gallantry and heroism of Filipino and American soldiers who saw action in that epic battle which was won be the USAFIP-NL on June 14, 1945.

Ilocos Sur Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano earlier led local officials and policemen in a floral offering at the foot of the historical monument in Barangay Mlaya, Cervantes to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass.

He attested to the fact that the “Battle of Bessang Pass” began with the assault on the Japanese line at Bitalag, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, by the USAFIP-NL on January 8, 1945 followed by the seizure of the enemy stronghold along Highway 4 and the defeat of the Japanese defenders of the Pass on June 14 1945.

Capture of the Bessang Pass hastened the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army under General Yamashita in Hungduan, Ifugao.

About 3,400 men were killed and wounded in that series of fierce gunbattles, participated in by Filipino soldiers from 10 units with the support of eight American units.

“The commemoration of the “Battle of Bessang Pass” reminds us the value of patriotism, freedom for peace and development,” Savellano said.