The 68th anniversary of Victory Day in Panay, Guimaras and Romblon was celebrated with a Sunrise Ceremony at Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Quintin Salas, Jaro March 18.
Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog offered a wreath at the tomb of Legionaire Natividad Peralta. He was assisted by Cmdr. Jimmy Golez, vice president of the 6th Military District WWII Veterans-Association of Sons and Daughters Inc.
It was a non-working holiday in the cities of Iloilo and Roxas, the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon by virtue of Proclamation No. 430 issued by then President Corazon C. Aquino in 1989 to commemorate the patriotism and gallantry of Filipino soldiers who teamed up with the Allied Forces during the Second World War to liberate Panay and Romblon islands on March 18, 1945.
“March 18, 1945 is of great historical and sentimental significance to both the veterans and the people of Panay and Romblon because it was the day when the Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces,” the proclamation reads.
