MILITARY SHRINES
1. Mt. Samat Shrine
2. Kiangan Shrine
3. Capas National Shrine
4. Ricarte National Shrine
5. Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine
6. USAFIP, NL MILITARY SHRINE AND PARK
7. PEFTOK Korean War Memorial Hall
Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan
Presidential Proclamation No. 432, s-68
Area: 73.66 Hectares
Located atop Mount Samat, Pilar, Bataan. It is where the allied forces made their final stand against the fully equipped Japanese Imperial forces. After four months of ferocious fighting, Bataan fell into the hands of the aggressor on April 9, 1942.
Today, a majestic towering memorial cross stands atop the crest of Mt. Samat with a height of 88 meters from its platform. It has an elevator facility up to the arms of the cross which serves as a viewing deck for tourists and sightseers. About 70 meters below the summit is a colonnade with twelve columns in solid marble depicting important battle scenes and historical events that took place in Bataan. It also features a marble altar for religious services and bronze emblems of the USAFFE units that took part in the battle. A 14 flight zig-zag trail connects the colonnade and the memorial cross. The design was made by Architect Lorenzo del Castillo and D.M. CONSUNJI Inc. Other features of the shrine included the following: Administration Bldg., Guesthouse Building, Museum, Ceremonial Stage, Greenhouse, DOT World Class Comfort Room among others.
Linda, Kiangan, Ifugao Province
Presidential Proclamation No. 1460, s-75
Area: 3.80 Hectares
Located in Kiangan, Ifugao Province, General Tomuyuki Yamashita together with the Japanese Imperial forces made their last stand against the onslaught of the allied forces which eventually lead to their informal surrender in Kiangan near the site where Kiangan Shrine stands today. A memorial was erected at the site to perpetuate its significance in our country’s history, and as a fitting testimonial to the indomitable Filipino spirit and the monument ranks among the other military memorial in honor of Filipino soldier, which should be preserved for posterity.
Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac
Presidential Proclamation No. 842, s-91
Area: 50 Hectares
Located in Capas, Tarlac, the site was the actual concentration camp used by the Japanese to house Filipino and American POWs after the fall of Bataan. Approximately 25,000 Filipino soldiers and 6,000 allied forces who took part in the infamous “Death March” died at this camp due to sickness and inhumane treatment received from their captors.
At present, the shrine stands as a reminder and a tribute to the hardships and bravery exemplified by our veterans. At the center of the shrine stands the obelisk monument which was erected to symbolize peace and unity between the Philippines, United States and Japan. Surrounding the obelisk is the Wall of Heroes where the names of the POWs incarcerated at the Camp O’ Donnel concentration camp are etched in granite panels to be remembered forever.
Batac, Ilocos Norte
Presidential Proclamation No. 228, s-93
Area: 0.70 Hectares
Located at the heart of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Ricarte National Shrine was inaugurated on March 22, 1977 to commemorate the Centennial of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence (1898-1998) and the 100th year anniversary of the appointment of Gen. Artemio Ricarte as the first Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The shrine features a double life sized bronze monument of Gen. Ricarte, a park and two identical buildings housing the library, the museum and the PVAO field office.
Jaro, Iloilo City
Presidential Proclamation No. 425, s-94
Area: 0.58 Hectares
Situated in Jaro, Iloilo City, Balantang Shrine is dedicated to the men and women of the 6th Military District who liberated the provinces of Panay, Romblon and the Guimaras island from the hands of the Japanese Imperial Forces during the second World War. This shrine likewise served as the final resting place of General Macario Peralta.
Brgy. Darigayos, Luna, La Union
Proclamation No. 590, s-95
Area: 0.7253 Hectares
With the support of then President Fidel V. Ramos, the USAFIP, NL Military Shrine and Park, fondly called Camp Spencer by the USAFIP, NL veterans themselves, was initially developed in the 90s with facilities such as the USAFIP, NL, Inc. Headquarters, a memorial monument and a stage. However, since USAFIP, NL, Inc. does not have the required resources to maintain the site, its facilities have deteriorated through the years. The shrine is located in Brgy. Darigayos, Luna, La Union and has a total land area of 7,253 square meters. The site is part of the original Camp Spencer established by USAFIP, NL forces during World War II where numerous battle plans were developed and many top secret shipments of food and ammo had transpired which contributed in attaining victory at Bessang Pass.
Bayani Road, Libingan Ng Mga Bayani
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
MOA between the DND and the ROK Government dated 25 May 2009
Area: 1,000 Square Meters
Located adjacent to the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani (LNMB), the PEFTOK Korean War Memorial Hall (PKWMH) honors the 7, 420 officers and men of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) who fought in the Korean War and helped rebuild the Republic of Korea from the ravages of war.
A 2-storey structure with a touch of Korean Architecture, it is situated in a 5,000 square meter lot allotted by the Philippine Veterans Affairs, Department of National Defense. The PKWMH was funded by the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans (MPVA) through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines.
An imposing landscape provides the structure with a nostalgia feeling of being in the land of the morning calm. It features a library, an auditorium and a museum depicting vignettes of information on the Philippine contingent during the Korean War. It also has a spacious roof deck that can be utilized for various functions. It houses the PEFTOK Veterans Association office that will cater to the needs of the Filipino Korean War veterans.
It stands tall as ban enduring symbol of the Great and Extraordinary friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea that strengthens with the passing of time.