Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine*

NHCP Photo Collection

NHCP Photo Collection

Location: Jaro, Iloilo (Region VI)

Category: Sites/Events

Type: Memorial

Status: Level I- National Shrine

Legal basis: Resolution No. 7, s. 1991

Marker date: March 18, 1997

Installed by: National Historical Institute (NHI)

Marker text:

BATTLE OF BALANTANG

THE BLOODIEST BATTLE FOUGHT BY THE PANAY GUERILLA FORCES LED BY COLONEL MACARIO PERALTA, JR., OCCURED IN THESE HOLLOWED GROUNDS OF BALANTANG AND ITS VICINITY FROM FEBRUARY 6 UP TO THE LIBERATION OF ILOILO CITY ON MARCH 20, 1945. THOUGH OUTNUMBERED, THE FILIPINO FORCES STOOD STILL IN THEIR POST, REPULSING THE SEVEN SUICIDAL ATTACKS OF THE JAPANESE IMPERIAL FORCES, THUS ENABLING THE ALLIED 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION OF THE U.S. ARMY UNDER MAJOR GENERAL RAPP BRUSH TO LAND PEACEFULLY AT TIGBAUAN, PARARA BEACH, ILOILO ON MARCH 18, 1945 AND JOIN THE GUERILLA FORCES OF COL. PERALTA IN THEIR MOPPING-UP OPERATION TO LIBERATE PANAY ISLANDS FROM THE JAPANESE.

THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED TO THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF PANAY AND ROMBLON WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY.