Chapter 16: Japanese Occupation and the Liberation of the Philippines I.

World War II in the Philippines As provided by the Tydings-McDuffie Law, the transitory Commonwealth of the Philippines was supposed o last for ten years after which it would become independent. Unfortunately, after six years of experimental transition, the Japanese invaded the Philippines. President Quezon and Gen. MacArthur already knew that an attack from Japan was not impossible especially that relations between US and Japan already severed. Thus, they prepared a defense system for the archipelago apart from the creation of the Philippine Army It was believed that such invasion from Japan was in accordance to the plan of empire building, as evident in the Tanaka Memorial, submitted by Baron Tanaka to the Japanese emperor in 1927. According to the Tanaka Plan, Japan can achieve world domination by the successful conquest of Manchuria, China, French Indochina, Thailand, Philippines, and Australia. However, Japan must also be ready to fight wars against western powers such as Great Britain, France, Russia, the Netherlands and United States.

II. War Preparations in the Philippines US deployed additional American troops to the Philippines American government sent the necessary military materials and equipments to the newly created United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) Philippine Army was immediately incorporated with the USAFFE under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur

III. The War in the Pacific On 28 November 1941, US and Japan tried to negotiate and patch up differences by holding the so called US-Japan Peace Conference. Attendees were Saburo Kurusu and Ambassador Nomura for Japan and US Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Unfortunately, the conference ended with the conclusion that US-Japan relations is irreparable. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941 (US time) in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor was the headquarters and the main base of the Americans in the Pacific. In the said attack, US suffered heavy losses The following day, President Roosevelt appeared before the US Congress urging the body to declare war against Japan. On 11 December 1941, the allies of Japan, Germany and Italy also declared war against US.

IV. The War in the Philippines

World War II in the Philippines started by noon of 8 December 1941 when Japanese warplanes bombed Clark and Iba fields in Zambales. Davao, Tuguegarao and Tarlac were also rained with Japanese air strikes. At night Nichols Fields was also attacked and for almost a day of bombing, the American air power in the Philippines was almost depleted. On 10 December 1941, Manila and Cavite Naval Yard were also attacked by the Japanese. On 20 December, Davao and Atimonan fell in the hands of the Japanese while Mauban Quezon was on the 24th. In this turbulent period, Captain Jesus Villamor stood unafraid and shoot down an enemy aircraft in combat. With such effort, he was personally awarded by MacArthur with the Distinguished Service Cross.

V. The Defense of Bataan and Corregidor

The USAFFE forces deprived of reinforcements, ill-equipped and poorly fed and without aerial cover was forced o retreat to Bataan Peninsula. Meanwhile on 2 January 1942, Manila was declared open city to prevent further bombing and destructions USAFFE soldiers gallantly stood their ground against a more military superior enemy. Unfortunately, on 9 April January 1942, Gen. Edward King, USAFFE Field Commander surrendered to the Japanese. Not long after, the forces headed by Gen. Jonathan Wainwright in Corregidor also surrendered to the Americans on 6 May 1942. This marked the formal end of the war in the Philippines 76,000 USAFFE soldiers who surrendered in Bataan participated in the infamous Death March which started from Mariveles, Bataan to Camp ODonnel in Capas Tarlac. Only about 56,000 were able to reach Camp ODonnel and from there about 22,155 Filipinos and 2,000 Americans died.

VI. The Flight of Quezon and MacArthur

Following US President Roosevelts order, Quezon, his family and Cabinet left Corregidor by submarine on 20 February 1942 and reached Australia safely. From there they sailed to the United States were the government-in-exile was established. MacArthur on the other hand left the Philippines on 11 March 1942 and sailed to Australia where he was to take command of the American forces in the Southwest Pacific. The difficult task of defending the Philippines was left in the hands of Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, as well as the sad task of surrendering all US Forces in the Philippines to the enemies.

VII. The Establishment of Japanese Rule in the Philippines

On 3 January 1942, Lt. Masaharu Homma, commander of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Philippines issued a proclamation stating the official ending of American sovereignty over the Philippines. He also declared Martial Law under the Japanese Military Administration. The Japanese authorities announced that their objective is to have Asia for the Asians and the Philippines to be a part of the Japanese Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Filipino leaders were invited to form a new government to be supervised and controlled by the Japanese High Command. On 23 January 1942, the Executive Commission was created with Jorge Vargas, Manila Mayor, as Chairman. The other commissioners included Benigno Aquino (Interior), Antonio delas Alas (Finance), Rafael Alunan (Agriculture), Jose Laurel (Justice), Claro M. Recto ( Education, Health and Public Welfare) and Quintin Parades (Public Woks and Communications) There were also few Filipinos who opted not to collaborate with the Japanese; one of them was Jose Abad Santos.

VIII. Japanese Policies of Attraction Cultural Propaganda in order to gain cooperation and goodwill among Filipinos American cultural imprints were erased by Japanese authorities, by ordering the changing of street names, as well as hat of towns and public sites from American names to Filipino or Japanese names Nihonggo was used as a vehicle for propaganda and was required to be a apart of the educational curriculum

However, in spite of the effort of the Japanese to win the Filipinos, their efforts were futile, due to the atrocities and violence committed by the Kempeitais or Japanese policemen.

IX. Philippine Independence under the Japanese Occupation

Japanese premier Hideko Tojo, promised to grant independence to the Philippines on 21 January 1942 in his speech delivered before the Japanese Diet, with the condition that Filipinos should cooperate with Japan in the attainment of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. A Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence was created with Laurel, Aquino and Vargas as heads to frame a constitution. The Constitution was drafted on 4 September 1943. The Constitution provided for a republic with three branches of government: executive, legislative and judiciary. The legislative branch is to be composed of a unicameral National Assembly. On 25 September 1943, the Assembly unanimously chose Jose Laurel as the president of the republic with Benigno Aquino as speaker of the Assembly. The lone woman in the assembly was Elisa Ochoa, representative of Agusan province.

X. The Second Philippine Republic

On 14 October 1943, the Second Philippine Republic was inaugurated; however, this puppet republic was not taken seriously by the people as well as by the international community. Laurel and the rest of Filipino leaders served as puppet of the Japanese authorities for real executive and legislative powers lay on the hands of the Japanese military leaders.

XI. The KALIBAPI

KALIBAPI meant Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas Its aims were to: Unify the Filipinos in order to extend positive cooperation to the Japanese Military Administration in the reconstruction of the country; To invigorate in the people Oriental values such as faith, self-reliance, selfsacrifice and hard work. All Filipinos 18 years old above were encouraged to join the organization while government employees were required to be a part of it.

XII. The MAKAPILI

It literally meant Makabayang Pilipino formally organized on 8 December 1944 with Sakdal leader Benigno Ramos and Artemio Ricarte as founding leaders. The organization was a last ditch attempt to: Fulfill the obligations of the Philippines in the pact of alliance with Japan by collaborating unreservedly with the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy The MAKAPILIs also usurped the mandate of the Police Constabulary.

XIII. Way of Living during the Japanese Occupation Means of production were under the control of the Japanese Few banks were allowed to operate

Buying and selling became the source of income by most Filipinos Mickey Mouse money was circulated that provoked inflation in such alarming situation Food shortage was alarming Outbreak of epidemics were prevalent such as dysentery, malaria and tuberculosis causing the death of many people. People lived in constant fear and apprehension.

XIV. Filipino Resistance Filipinos resorted to underground resistance or guerilla warfare. The guerillas activities involved espionage, intelligence gathering, sabotage and military harassments. Famous guerilla leaders were: Luis Taruc and Castro Alejandrino HUKBALAHAP Guillermo Nakar Northern Luzon Bado Dangwa Mountain Province Ali Dimaporo Lanao Ruperto Kangleon Leyte Salipada Pendatun Mindanao Wenceslao Vinzon Bicol Roque Ablan Ilocos Norte Macario Peralta Panay Terry Adevoso Manila (ROTC Hunters) Marcos Agustin Manila/ Southern Luzon (Markings)

XV. Liberation in the Philippines A. MacArthurs Return 20 October 1944 US Troops and warships landed at Red Beach in Palo, Leyte. This was the historical return of MacArthur. With him were Carlos Romulo and Sergio Osmena. Osmena proclaimed the return of the Commonwealth Government with Tacloban as temporary capital

B. Liberation of Manila

3 February to 5 February 1945 was known as the Battle for Manila Manuel Colayco, headed the units of 1st cavalry division of the US Army. They made a commando raid to rescue POWs in Santo Tomas Interment Camp. Unfortunately, Colayco died in action. The Japanese were fully encircled by the Americans prompting them to go havoc by plundering, conducting massacre and raping of women. They also burned houses as they murder people they go about with. Approximately 100,000 people died in the said battle for liberation.

C. Battles for the Liberation of the Philippines 1945

January 1 Mindoro January 9 Lingayen, Pangasinan January 23 Pangatian, Camp ODonnel, Concepcion, Tarlac January 25 Fort Stotsenberg fell to the Americans January 31 Olongapo submarine base February 19 battle for the liberation of Visayas and Mindanao started February 28 Palawan was recovered March 11 Zamboanga City was recovered March 18 Panay was liberated March 26 Americans landed in Negros April 28 Liberation of Baguio City and Victory at Balete Pass May 3 Davao City was liberated June End of the battle for Visayas and Mindanao June After five months of fighting the Filipinos went victorious in the Battle of Bessang Pass in Bulacan On 26 July 1945 The Potsdam Declaration was issued by the Americans to serve as ultimatum to Japan, but the latter refused to surrender. This prompted US to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 and in Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. On 15 August 1945, Japan surrendered and on 3 September 1945 the formal instrument of surrender was signed at the US Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

D. End of the 2nd Philippine Republic

On 17 August 1945, Jose Laurel from his refuge in Nara, Japan issued an Executive Proclamation declaring the dissolution of the 2nd Philippine Republic.