PHILIPPINES: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF US LANDING ON LUZON ISLAND

(9 Jan 1995) English/Nat

Thousands of Americans, Filipinos and Japanese Monday marked the 50th anniversary of the wartime U-S landing on the main Philippines island of Luzon.

The American forces were led by General Douglas MacArthur, fulfilling his famous" I Shall return" pledge made three years earlier in 1942 when he escaped from the Japanese-held Philippines.

A mock landing was the highlight of today's commemoration, which was attended by Japan's ambassador to the Philippines and Philippine President Fidel Ramos.

Actors dressed in Japanese uniforms used the beach of Lingayen as their stage, playing a part in a reenactment of the U-S liberation of the Philippines.

Fifty years ago, General Douglas MacArthur's forces took the central island of Mindoro, the set-up for the main attack in Luzon during the Second World War.

The capital fell a month later.

The Japanese had defeated a US-Filipino force on the Bataan peninsula and Corregidor island in 1942.

MacArthur escaped to Australia and vowed to return.

As part of Monday's commemorations, mock Japanese war planes swooped overhead and Filipino marines stormed ashore.

The celebrations were a scaled-down version of a lavish production held last October.

That event marked the 50th anniversary of the American return to the Philippines at Leyte Island, 350 miles (560 kilometres) south of Manila.

Japan's ambassador to the Philippines, Yoshifumi Matsuda, was on hand Monday to address the audience and extend his condolences, on behalf of his country, to those who died defending the territory.

SOUNDBITE:
"Our hearts ache when we think of the lives lost and countless other sacrifices during the passive war. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolence to those who gave up their lives for their respective countries and peoples."
"Peace is vital and precious indeed. This is why Japan in the post-war era was reborn a nation committed to peace."
SUPER CAPTION: Yoshifumi Matsuda - Japanese Ambassador

The President of the Philippines, Fidel Ramos, also extended goodwill on the occasion of the commemoration.

SOUNDBITE:
"And so today we commemorate the landing. We leave the past behind us. With former foes in bitter war 50 years ago, now united as friends."
SUPER CAPTION: Philippine President Fidel Ramos

In total, ten-thousand people turned out to commemorate MacArthur's landing.

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