JAPANESE OCCUPATION

IN THE PHILIPPINES
December 1941-September 1945
WORLD WAR II 2
 IMPORTANT EVENTS
1941 1942 1943
December 07 Japanese bomb January 1 Pres. Quezon signs an February 20 Quezon June 18 The KALIBAPI
the Pearl Harbor Clark Field, EO appointing Jorge Vargas as leaves Corregidor and holds its first general assembly
Nichols Field, and Sangley Mayor of Greater Manila proceeds to Iloilo, and is instructed by the
Point Negros and Mindanao Japanese to form the
January 9 Japanese attack the Preparatory Commission for
December 24 President USAFFE in Bataan March 26 Quezon is Philippine Independence
Manuel Quezon makes brought to Australia and (PCPI)
Corregidor the seat of January 21 Prime Minister Hideki then to the US
government Tojo anounces the possibility of September 25 The National
granting Philippine Independence if April 9 Gen. Edward Assembly elects Laurel as the
December 26 Manila is the Filipino cooperate King surrenders president of future republic
declared an Open City USAFFE forces in
February 6 Aguinaldo, through a Bataan; Death March October 14 Jose P. Laurel is
December 27 Japanese bomb radio broadcast, urges MacArthur begins inducted into office; the
Manila hitting Santo Domingo and the USAFFE to surrender Philippine Republic is
Church and the Intendencia inagurated
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IMPORTANT EVENTS
1944 1945
April Air-raid drills begin in October 24-26 Battle of January 9 US forces land in July 4 MacArthur proclaims
Manila Leyte Gulf Lingayen, Pangasinan the liberation of the entire
archipelago from the enemy
May 2 Jose Abad Santos is December 8 Formal February 3 American
executed Inaguration of Makapili forces enter Manila; the August 15 Japan Surrenders
month-long Battle of Manila unconditionally to the Allied
August 1 Quezon dies in begins Powers
Saranac Lake, New York;
Osmeña succeeds as President February 27 General September 3 General
MacArthur who had taken Tomoyuki Yamashita formally
October 20 US forces land over the military surrenders all Japanese forces
in Leyte administration of the in the Philippines
Philippines hands over the
reins of civil government to
President Osmeña

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 HOW WAS THE WORLD
WAR II STARTED?
In the morning of DECEMBER 7, 1941, the Imperial
Japanese Navy Air Service attacked the US naval base
at Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island, Hawaii without any
warning. The attack sank 18 US NAVAL VESSELS,
DESTROYED 300 US AIRCRAFTS, AND KILLED
2403 MEN INCLUDING 68 CIVILIANS. The US
declared war on Japan on DECEMBER 8, 1941. Three
days later, Japan’s allies (GERMANY and ITALY)
responded by declaring war on US to enter the
SECOND WORLD WAR.

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JAPANESE OCCUPATION

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WW2: The Beginning 7
JAPANESE OCCUPATION

 The FIRST LEGISLATIVE measure of the Commonwealth

Government was the NATIONAL DEFENSE ACT -
provided the establishment of an infantry (foot soldiers)
consisting of a reserve force and an active force, an army air
cops, and a navy.
 In 1941, the military forces of the US and Philippines were
put under a single command and was headed by Douglas
MacArthur. This military force was known as United States
Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).
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JAPANESE OCCUPATION

 Japan then an emerging power together with ITALY and

GERMANY, formed the Axis Power.
 With the outbreak of WW2, the US and Great Britain agreed
to pursue a “EUROPE FIRST” Policy which meant the war
resources of the two countries would concentrate in defeating
NAZI GERMANY while simultaneously fighting the
Japanese in the Pacific front but less resources.

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JAPANESE OCCUPATION

 GREATER EAST ASIA CO PROSPERITY SPHERE –

enunciated by the Japanese aimed at freeing Asian countries
from their colonial masters but with the recognition of
Japanese authority in the region.
 The Philippines as an American colony was thus to be freed
from the clutches of the US hence the occupation of the
country from the Japanese invaders.

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 WAR STARTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
It was December 9, 1941 when news of the bombing of
Pearl Harbor hit the front page of news papers in
Manila.
Breaking The Silence – an excerpt from the war
memoir written by LOURDES REYES
MONTINOLA a daughter of Nicanor Reyes, founder
of FEU. She was 14 years old when Japanese forces
stormed their home in Agno Street, Malate on February
9, 1945. She was the sole surviror of this carnage.

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EXCERPT FROM BREAKING THE SILENCE
LOURDES REYES MONTINOLA

 Primary Source
 At first the war had been an exciting novelty for us children. It meant only a
timely interruption to examinations. I was with mother and Lola Maria on the
way to antipolo to hear early mass on December 8, 1941, it being the feast of
immaculate Concepcion. We sensed something wrong as crowds huddled in
many steps, and even traffic policemen seemed to be distracted. When we
inquired what was going on, we were told that Pearl Harbor had been bombed.
War had ben declared by America! This meant that the Philippines was also at
war!

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JAPANESE OCCUPATION

 After the Japanese bombed military installations like

Clarkland Nicholas; and places like Baguio, Davao, and
Manila. Japanese forces landed in the northern part of Luzon.
The invaders landed in Vigan and Appari on DECEMBER
22; and in Atimonan and Mauban in Lamon Bay on
DECEMBER 24.
 The Commonwealth Government was evacuated to
Corregidor and the USAFFE forces withdrew to Bataan on
the eve of Christmas in 1941.
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MANILA AS OPEN CITY
 Japanese forces which came from the
northern part of Luzon and from the
southern part planned to converge in
Manila which made necessary the
declaration of MANILA AS AN OPEN
CITY ON DECEMBER 26, 1941.
 Despite the declaration Manila was
bombed by the Japanese, hitting Sto.
Domingo Church and the Intendencia in
Intramuros. 14
 MANILA AS OPEN
CITY
 President Manuel Quezon’s mandate as president
was renewed on December 30, 1941 in Corregidor
amidst succesive occupation and aerial bombings
of the Japanese.
 On January 9, 1942, the Japanese started bombing
the stronghold of the USAFFE forces in Bataan.
 For 3 months, filipino and american soldiers
withstood japanese air attacks and naval blockade.

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Manila as Open City 16
FALL OF BATAAN
 At noon of April 9, the surrender of Bataan was announced
by the USAFFE Broadcast Station in Manila Tunnel in
Corregidor
 The message was written by CAPTAIN SALVADOR P.
LOPEZ and announced on air by Lieutenant Norman Reyes,
Salvador P. Lopez would later be president of the University
of the Philippines.

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BATAAN DEATH MARCH
 After the fall of Bataan on
April 9, 1942, Filipino-
American troops were forced to
march from Bataan to San
Fernando, Pampanga. This
march under the heat of the sun
effected soldiers hunger,
dehydration, and fatigue to the
point of death.
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Bataan Death March 19
 LIBERTY-LOVING PEOPLES OF THE WORLD
(BATAAN HAS FALLEN) PRIMARY SOURCE
 Bataan has fallen. The Philippine-American troops on this war-ravaged and
bloodstained peninsula have laid down their arms. With heads bloody but
unbowed, they have yielded to the superior force and numbers of enemy.
 For what sustained them through all these 3 months of incessant battle was a
force that was more than merely physical. It was the force of an unconquerable
faith-something in the heart and soul that physical hardship and adversity
could not destroy!.
 Bataan has fallen, but the spirit that made it stand- a beacon to all the liberty-
loving peoples of the world-cannot fall!

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 LIBERTY-LOVING PEOPLES OF THE WORLD
(BATAAN HAS FALLEN) PRIMARY SOURCE
 We have been with mock symbols odf sovereingnity, denied by weaklings, lashed
repeated oppression, tortured and starved. We have have been given gall to drink,
and we have shed our blood
 To those who look upon us from afar it must seem the Filipino people have
descended into hell. Into the valley of death.
 “Be not afraid, for He is risen”, We too shall rise
 No wall of stone shall then be stong enough to contain us, no human force shall
suffice to hold us in subjection, we shall rise in the name of freedom and the
East shall be alight with the glory of our liberation.

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MALINTA TUNNEL, CORREGIDOR
 Thus, the Japanese forces
concentrate on Bombing
Corregidor, the “ROCK
FORTRESS” of the Americans.
 On May 6, 1942, USAFFE
Commander-in-chief Jonathan
Wainwright surrendered the entire
USAFFE forces in the Philippines
to General Masaharu Homma.
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Battle of Corregidor 23
 ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE
OF THE PHILIPPINES
BY: LIEUTENANT GENERAL MASAHARU HOMMA

The Greatest East Co-Properity Sphere was an

imperial concept which was created and promulgated
by the Japanese to prevail in their occupied territories in
Asia during the years 1930-1945.
It aimed to create a self-sufficient bloc of Asian nations
free from the western powers, and led by Japan.

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AS FOR THE PHILIPPINES, THE JAPANESE
ARMY ENVISIONED THE COUNTRY AS

Source of Agricultural Products Philippine Independence Important Military Target

 Cotton Cultivation was  Philippines as a colony of  It intended to destroy
attempted by the Japanese. the US, Japanese promise an important American fleet
However, this venture failed independence for the units, thereby preventing the
due to factors such as the Philippines. Pacific Fleet from interfering
lack of skills, transportation with Japanese conquest of
shortage from the lack of the Dutch East Indies and
fuel, and food shortage. Malaya and to
enable Japan to conquer
Southeast Asia without
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interference.
GREATEST EAST ASIA CO-PROSPERITY SPHERE
 On August 3, 1942, GENERAL MASAHARU HOMMA,
Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Imperial Forces of the
Philippines explained to the Filipino people the reason for
their occupation of the Philippines and the idea of the
Greatest East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

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 ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES
BY: LIEUTENANT GENERAL MASAHARU HOMMA (PRIMARY
SOURCE)
 The ideal of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere is to establish,
under the spirit of universal brotherhood, a firm and eduring structure by
consolidating Asia for the Asians and to create a permanent and lasting sphere of
happiness and well-being for the people within the great area having
geographical affinity.
 The process to realize this ideal is none other than by the related people uniting
themselves under the leadership of Japan.
 “To make the Universe a Home” the aim is to see every people and every nation
acquire their rightful positions under the sun.
 Philippine was our enemy. But our country, although regarding the United
States as our specific enemy. 27
 KALIBAPI: KAPINSANAN NG
PAGLILINGKOD SA BAGONG PILIPINAS

SAMAHANG MAGKAKAPIT-BAHAY/
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION – a Japanese
Propaganda originally formed to facilitate the
distribution of prime commodities among the people.
However it became a spy network.
KALIBAPI – the chief organ of Japanese propaganda.
It was established by virtue of EXECUTIVE ORDER
NO. 109 issued by Jorge Vargas on order of the
Japanese Military Administration.

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KALIBAPI
 Its principal goals were the unification of the Filipinos in
order to extend positive cooperation to the Japanese Military
Administration in the reconstruction of the country.
 Therefore wanted to utilize KALIBAPI in winning the
goodwill and cooperation of the Filipino people.
 The Japanese did not succeed in winning the loyalty of of the
Filipino people.

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 PHILIPPINE EXECUTIVE
COMMISSION
Japanese formed the Philippine Executive
Commission to be the government of the country at the
moment.
JORGE VARGAS – designated as the chairman by the
Japanese High Command
This Commission is consisted of 6 departments, each
under the leadership of a Filipino Commissioner

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PHILIPPINE EXECUTIVE COMMISSION
Departments Leadership of
Interior Benigno S. Aquino
Finance Antonio De las Alas
Justice Jose P. Laurel
Agriculture & Commerce Rafael Alunan
Education , Health and Public Welfare Claro M. Recto
Public Works & Communication Quintin Paredes

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 INAGURAL ADDRESS OF
PRES. JOSE P. LAUREL
Second Philippine Republic/Japanese-Sponsored
Republic
PCPI-PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE
INDEPENDENCE (PCPI) was organized and was
headed by Jose P. Laurel. The constitution (statement of
the basic principles and laws of a nation) was prepared
and approved by the Japanese government.

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JOSE P. LAUREL
 The constitution provided for the creation of a unicameral
legislature called the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY from whose
ranks would be chosen the president of the Japanese-sponsored
republic (PUPPET REPUBLIC)
 September 25, the National Assembly elected Jose P. Laurel as
President of the Republic and on October 14, 1943 was inducted
to office. (Exact date of Philippine independence proclaimed by
the Japanese)
 Benigno Aquino-Members of Philippine Execitive Commision
/Speaker of National Assembly 33
 LETTER OF CLARO M. RECTO TO
DIRECTOR GEN. OF THE JAPANESE
MILITARY ADMINISTRATION
June 15, 1944, Claro M. Recto who was the Minister
of Foreign Affairs wrote to Lieutenant General Takaki
Wachi (in some accounts, TAKI WARI), Director
General of the Japanese Military Administration
protesting Japanese atrocities.

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LETTER OF CLARO M. RECTO
 The establishment of a Japanese-sponsored Republic with
Jose P. Laurel at its helm (charts of commands) did not make
the Filipinos accept Japanese occupation readily.
 The republic and the independence given by Japan to the
Philippines did not offset the realities of daily life under the
Japanese Regime
 Japanese propensity for slapping, executions without due
process, outright confiscation of property and violence
towards women – concerns of Recto. 35
 HUKBALAHAP: HUKBO NG
BAYAN LABAN SA HAPON
On March 29, 1942 the Communists and socialists
organized the People’s Anti-Japanese Army
(HUKBALAHAP), which had 30,000 guerilla fighthers
led by Luis Taruc and Castro Alejandrino.
They killed filipinos who spied for the Japanese.

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 LIBERATION OF THE
PHILIPPINES
Proclamation of General Douglas MacArthur
Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army to
the People of the Philippines
Despite the independence granted by Japan to the
Philippines and the establishment of a republic headed
by a Filipino, the Filipinos continued to resist the
invader.

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PROCLAMATION OF GEN. MACARTHUR TO FILIPINOS
 News of an impending liberation of the Philippines by the
Americans made air-raid drills a daily reality.
 The first american air raid in the Philippines took place in
DAVAO on AUGUST 1944.
 On SEPTEMBER 21, Manila experienced American air
raids prompting President Laurel to proclaim the existence of
war against the US American forces landed in Leyte.

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PROCLAMATION OF GEN. MACARTHUR TO FILIPINOS
 On OCTOBER 20 and three days after, the Commonwealth
Government was temporarily established in Tacloban, Leyte.
 On DECEMBER 21, the Laurel government evacuated to
Baguio.
 January 1945 saw American forces landing in Lingayen,
Pangasinan. (BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF)
 The following month, American forces entered Manila which
started the month-long BATTLE OF MANILA.
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PROCLAMATION OF GEN. MACARTHUR TO FILIPINOS
 In MARCH, President Laurel was flown out of the
Philippines and brought to Taiwan and then to Japan.
 JULY 4 – Douglas MacArthur proclaimed that the
Philippines had been liberated from the enemy.
 On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally to
the Allied Powers.
 September 3, General Tomoyuki Yamashita surrendered all
Japanese forces in the Philippines.
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PROCLAMATION OF GEN. MACARTHUR TO FILIPINOS
 The words “I SHALL RETURN” uttered by MacArthur
when he departed the Philippines in 1941, sustained the spirit
og the Filipinos during the Occupation years.
 On OCTOBER 20, 1944, MacArthur announced the
fulfillment of his promise.

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 PROCLAMATION OF GENERAL MACARTHUR TO THE
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES (PRIMARY SOURCE)
 It was originally a letter written by Douglas himself
 Released on OCTOBER 23, 1944
 The letter contains:
 The military forces under his command landed in the Philippines as a prelude
to the liberation of the entire territory
 The seat of the Commonwealth Government has been re-established in the
Philippines under President SERGIO OSMEÑA
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

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 TAKE NOTE: EXTRA
INFORMATION
Manuel Luis Quezon
Battle of Philippine Sea
Battle of Leyte Gulf
Election – President Osmeña
MAKAPILI

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Thank you
BSED – FILIPINO I
Alzona, Irish

Ansano, Elieca
Panotes, Connie