Proclamation No. 430, July 21, 1989

DECLARING THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MARCH OF EVERY YEAR AS VICTORY DAY IN THE ISLANDS OF PANAY AND ROMBLON, INCLUDING THE CITIES OF ILOILO AND ROXAS

WHEREAS, the Free Panay Guerilla Forest, 6th Military District, composed of the officers and men of the 61st Division of the Philippine Army (USAFFE), who preferred continuing the fight to surrendering after the fall of Bataan, together with those of other units of the United States Army Forces in the Far East and the civilian volunteers from all walks of life—lawyers, doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, fishermen, farmers and students—who joined the underground resistance movement—harassed, sabotaged and decimated the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces in the islands of Panay and Romblon throughout World War II in the name of country, freedom and democracy;

WHEREAS, March 18, 1945, is of great historical and sentimental significance to both the veterans of the 6th Military District and the people of Panay and Romblon because it was the day when the Free Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Occupation Forces, coinciding with the landing of the American Liberation Forces at the Tigbauan beach as prearranged between Col. Macario Peralta, Jr., founder and overall commander of the Free Panay Guerilla Forces, and Lt. General Robert L. Eichelberger, Commanding General of the 8th United States Army;

WHEREAS, Panay and Romblon annually observe Victory Day on March 18 to commemorate the liberation of the islands and the sacrifices and valor of the Free Panay Guerilla Forces;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the 18th day of March of every year as Victory Day in the islands of Panay and Romblon, including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas, which shall be observed therein as a non-working special day.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 21st day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Nine.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG

Executive Secretary