EPCC NEWS
July 31, 2015

LA CITY COUNCIL HONORS FILVETS, MARKED 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass, 1945 on July 28, 2015

Los Angeles—The Los Angeles City Council honored the Filipino American World War II Veterans last July 28, 2015 at the John Ferraro Chambers by marking the 70th Year Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass, June 1945.

The Battle of Bessang Pass was the only Filipino military victory over the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II in the Philippines. It was considered as a payback for the USAFFE defeat in Bataan and Corregidor in 1942 and the infamous “Death March.:

The Victory at Bessang Pass was declared as a military holiday by President Elpidio Quirino in the 1950’s. The American based Filipino World War II Veterans and JFAV in Los Angeles always mark the Victory in Bessang Pass since 2003.

Survivors

Surviving veterans Franco Arcebal who fpught in the battle of Bessang Pass, Greg Albano, a USAFFE Bataan and Death march survivor and John Aspiras Jr of JFAV was present during the presentation of the certificate of recognition

Council Member Paul Krekorian of District 2, the sponsor of the resolution presented the resolution to the City Council to honor the Filipino veterans and their families at the council session.
Also present at the City Council Chambers were scores of widows and relatives of the veterans from JFAV, FASGI, SIlverlake CBAS and S4PACE.

Tributes

JFAV National Coordinator Arturo Garcia said, “Our Filipino veterans are in the same boat with the Armenian survivors of the Armenian Genocide one hundred years ago.

But until now the US government wont recognize that the genocide ever happened. It’s the same situation as the Filipino Veterans who remained unrecognized for the last 70 years.”

Council Member Mitch O’Farrell of District 13, Council President Herb Wesson of District 10 and and newly elected Council Member of District 4 Korean-American David Ryu also paid tribute to the veterans and their advocates who were present at the jam-packed council.

FASGI Assistant Executive Director Bernie Ganon said, “we thank the LA City Council for recognizing the heroism of our veterans, widows and all their relatives.

We must celebrate the valor and recognize the services of our veterans,because they are truly are American veterans”.

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