Allied forces, Japan diplomats confirm attendance to 66th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 14, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla confirmed the attendance of dignitaries coming from the Allied Forces and from Japan to the 66th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings on October 20.

Among those who confirmed their attendance to the commemorative program were the representatives of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, Governor Petilla, who underscored that this year's commemoration have been kept simple but significant, informed.

The good governor added that the attendance of Honorable Samuel B. Bagasin has also been confirmed. Honorable Bagasin is the Undersecretary for Civil, Military, Veterans and Reserve Affairs of the Department of National Defense.

The visitors from Australia will be led by Mr. Andrew Byrne, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Australia.

Canada will be represented by Mr. James Trottier, Counselor for Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Canada.

No less than His Excellency Andrew Graeme Matheson, Ambassador, Embassy of New Zealand, will arrive in Leyte to grace the 66th Leyte Gulf Landings commemorative program.

In order to extend Japan's message of solidarity, His Excellency Makoto Katsura, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan will once again grace the Commemorative Program.  His Excellency will be accompanied by Colonel Yuki Matsuzaki, Defense Attache, Embassy of Japan and Mr. Yoshino Hirosato, Secretary of the Ambassador.

The representatives of the United States of America will be Ms. Leslie Basset, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy and Mr. John Skelly, Director, Manila Regional Office, US Department of Veterans and Affairs, Embassy of the United States.

The Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary commemorates the successful liberation by Allied Forces, of the Philippines from Japanese occupation during WWII.

The celebration remembers the return of General Douglas MacArthur and his men who landed on the shores of Palo, Leyte. General MacArhtur had been forced to retreat from the islands two years earlier by advancing Japanese forces at which point he valiantly vowed: "I shall return".