Island folks commemorate 69th Anniversary of the Battle of Sibuyan Sea

Press Release
October 24, 2013

SIBUYAN ISLAND, Romblon – For the first time in the history of Sibuyan Island, more than a thousand people coming from San Fernando and Magdiwang municipalities flocked to neighboring Cajidiocan town to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Sibuyan Sea.

According to Presidential Proclamation No. 35 signed issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III on October 4, 2010, “the Battle of Sibuyan Sea is one of the four (4) major battles in the historic Battle of Leyte Gulf, which was easily considered as one of the largest naval battles in history.”

The presidential issuance proclaims October 24 as the ‘Battle of Sibuyan Sea Day’, thus, ordering “pertinent government agencies to rectify history herewith in their respective institutional capacities” and such be “mentioned with reverence in our schools and should form an integral part of our country’s rich history.”

For war historian John Toland, “the battle of the Sibuyan Sea (23-24 October 1944) was the opening phase of the battle of Leyte Gulf and saw American submarines and carrier aircraft attack Admiral Kurita's I Striking Force, sinking the massive battleship Musashi.”

During the commemoration ceremonies, after the singing of the national anthems of the United States of America, Japan and the Philippines, eye-witnesses narrated their first hand experiences when planes bombed what they claimed as the battleship Musashi.

“I was 14 years old at the time, I saw the actual bombing of the big ship by numbers of airplanes which continuously attacked the ship until it sunk,” said Esperanza Rabino.

Another eye-witness, Sixto Recto, who was 9 years old at that time, recalled that they went up to a hill and hid for safety: “When we heard a large sound like a bomb, we immediately went out from our hiding and saw airplanes bombard a big ship until it sunk.”

Mayor Nicasio Ramos of the host municipality of Cajidiocan said that the local government is willing to coordinate and support the annual commemoration of the Battle of Sibuyan Sea.

“This is a tribute to the brave and young men and women who show their heroism for their love of their country – should be held and celebrated in Cajidiocan since history can speak for itself that the said event really happened in the vicinity and territory of Cajidiocan.”

The two mayors of the neighboring San Fernando and Magdiwang towns, Salem Tansingco and Ibarra Manzala, expressed their full support for the annual commemoration.

“This shall be witnessed not only by Sibuyanons but also by the whole world – history has been corrected since the truth is that the battle of Sibuyan Sea was never happened in the western part of Sibuyan near Tablas Island but here in the eastern side of our island, here in Cajidiocan,” said Tansingco.

Years ago, a historical marker was erected on a beach park in Alcantara town in Tablas Island.

Manzala stressed the importance of passing the historical truth of the event to the next generations to come. He also further explained the significance of the battle in the history of the World War II.

In his message, Region IV-B Tourism Officer Dominique Contreras congratulated the municipality of Cajidiocan for heading the commemoration of the 69th Anniversary of the Battle of Sibuyan Sea, “the Department of Tourism is grateful to these tourism related endeavors which can further take us to the vision of our Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.”

Highlighting the commemoration and to show respect to the fallen soldiers, three floral wreaths with Philippine, Japanese and American flags were floated off to sea with prayers offered led by priest Fr. Noel Sixon.

The Sibuyan Island commemoration was organized by the Truth Team composed of former DILG Director Rene T. Maglaya, Fr. Guillermo Ramo, Ph.D., Ret. Col./Sr. Supt. Julito T. Royo, Mr. Ricardo Ramo, Ret. Col. Douglas Tansiongco, Dr. Arthur Rey Tansiongco and Mr. Ronnie Royo.