⌛ Dumaguete Liberation Day

Please forgive me for posting this so late on 26 April. I know that it's already the 27th in Dumaguete.

Perhaps we should take a moment to note that today is the 63rd anniversary of the liberation of the City of Dumaguete from its occupation by Japanese forces. The liberation was accomplished by Filipino and US forces.

This liberation is commemorated in a plaque in the park opposite the cathedral. We should be gratitude of the sacrifice of our forbearers.

 

There are many stories about this pivotal time in Philippine history, we have one customer, whose father was one of the more notorious freedom fighters throughout the war. His name is a well known in Dumaguete today, his son is a judge. Ironically even though he was a wartime hero, there is not a street, monument, or building named after him in town.

This is stuff that movies could be made of. apparently this Captain of the Philippine Army resistence had six fingers on one hand. Known as "Captain Eleven" he was constantly hunted by the Japanese occupiers. A very clever man, he was a constant source of information for the american troops getting ready to invade Sibulan and Dumaguete.

He had several identities and was able to visit with the Japanese officers and gleen important information from them. Knowing they were on the look out for a man with eleven fingers, he would tape his eleventh finger, don gloves and escaped detection until the end of the war. The Japanese never apprehended Captain Eleven and he was instrumental in the liberation of Dumaguete.

 

RHB blog

very interesting and informative blog you have RHB!! excellent!! I will send my family to your place and order the tasty stuffs you mentioned. Mabuhay!

 

Does any one have an accurate account of the battle deaths of Japanese forces in the Dumaguete area and where the shrine is located on the mountain.

I have heard estimates 2,000 to 12,000. It must have been difficult for US and Filipino forces to make their way up the mountain to remove the bunkered Japanese.

 

There were 530 Japanese killed, and 35 Americans, 180 wounded, the battle lasted only a few days, intense fighting occurred at the mountain strongholds in difficult conditions. B-24 bombers dropped 1000 lb bombs to soften up the area. The Shrine is a difficult climb by motorcycle, impossible by car unless you have jeep. There is not much there. Instead, at least first, visit the Cata-Al museum in Valencia. I have info and more articles pictures on my blog about all this.
I hope to have more articles written as time for research permits.