Posted on 05/05/2005 6:59:27 PM PDT by MagnusMaximus1
American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Eric Lachica or Ms. Maurese Owens
CELL: 202 246-1998 or 703 606-8796
May 6 Noon Protest: Japan Ambassador's No Apology
WASHINGTON, DC - Elderly Filipino American WWII veterans and family survivors will hold a news conference on Friday May 6 at NOON 12:15 PM outside the Japanese Embassy to protest the recent controversial Japanese government approval of junior high school textbooks "whitewashing" the atrocities committed by their military during WWII.
The Japanese Embassy is located at 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW ( 5 blocks north of DUPONT METRO)
The veteran' group's goal is to get written clarification and a sincere apology from the Japan Ambassador for what happened in the Philippines in 1942-45. The Embassy has declined to issue a written reply to their request.
Most Americans and Filipinos are not aware or realize the magnitude of the Manila massacre in February 1945 - exactly 60 years ago when more than 100,000 Filipino civilians were used as human shields by Japanese soldiers during the month-long battle - that is more than 3,000 CIVILIANS were killed per day.
As a comparison, the US atomic bomb attack of August 9, 1945 on the City of Nagasaki killed a total of 70,000 Japanese.
Speakers are:
1) Peter BLANCO II, son a Filipino WWII soldier who died as result of the Bataan Death March in 1942. His mother MAMERTA, six months pregnant, was tortured as a prisoner-of-war and left for dead. She later gave birth to Peter II, who later served during the Vietnam war. He now lives in McLean VA. (See his prepared remarks below)
2) Maj. VALENTIN ILDEFONSO, U.S. Airforce (ret.), 78, a retired medical doctor from Philadelphia and a WWII veteran of the Philippine Scouts. He witnessed and lost several relatives in the Manila Massacre of February 1945.
3) Mrs. JOSEFA MANRIQUEZ, 82, widow of a WWII veteran. She and her 3-month old daughter were held hostage for 14 months in Japanese Camp in an attempt to force the surrender of her husband who leading the Filipino guerrillas in Mountain Province. She was threatened by beheading by Japanese captors.
4) Representative from the Washington Center on Comfort Women and the Truth in World War II Council.
For media details and logistics, call ACFV at CELL: 202 246-1998 or 703 606 8796.
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PETER BLANCO II
Son of a WWII Soldier in the Bataan Death March
Good afternoon. My name is Peter Blanco. My biological father, Pedro Blanco was a journalist and magazine editor in Manila (1941). He died as a result of the infamous Bataan Death March.
My mother, Mamerta de los Reyes Blanco, became a member of the Philippine guerrilla Army under Commander Barrion as a 1st Lieutenant.
In her sixth month of pregnancy she was imprisoned by the Japanese for being pro-American.
She was beaten and tortured in Fort Santiago Prison in Manila for 3- 1/2 months. When she was declared dead, her body was thrown out into the street to be buried in mass grave. Fortunately, the funeral driver thought she showed signs of life and she was rushed to the Belgian nunnery and had a caesarian operation.
This is how I was born. I was born as a Miracle Baby.
I NEVER saw my father. The only picture of him the Japanese Army left after the war was in a torn copy in his magazine, and now in my mother's book: "The Price of Freedom."
My mother's life and my birth were miraculous acts of God. Somehow, by God's grace, we survived until the Americans returned.
My mother married a US Navy officer. We later came to Washington DC where my mother lobbied the U.S. Congress for recognition and help for 500,000 Philippine orphans and Army widows.
Later, when she was the director of the International House on Nineteenth Street in Washington DC, she MET the VERY SAME Japanese Chief Warden of Fort Santiago who TORTURED HER until he declared her dead.
In a face-to-face meeting, he APOLOGIZED for his evil deeds. My mother FORGAVE him. They became friendly.
That is what we need TODAY: recognition of bad actions, forgiveness and reconciliation.
"Ye shall know the truth and truth shall set you free," according to the Master.
This is a true story written in detail in mother's book that I have in my hand.
As a baby, I knew nothing. But later my mother told me about it.
I have no personal hatred. I forgive them all. Someday, I will see the face of my biological father in heaven.
( NOTE: Mrs. Mamerta de los Reyes Blanco Block, 98, died in March 2005. She was buried in the Quantico National Veterans Cemetery in Virginia).
Thank you and God bless you. - Peter Blanco II
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ERIC LACHICA
Executive Director
American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.
841 South Glebe Road - Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 202 246-1998 Tel/FAX: 301 963-6250
"Only a few sore losers from the military-industrial complex and war-mongering profiteers were upset at the loss of our bases over there back then."
That is a matter of opinion. Ever time we lose access to bases overseas, it can be viewed as shrinking our over all military presence world wide. We had a very good situation going in the Philipines. Now hypothetically, how would you feel if we had to remove all our military facilities from Okinawa? Would you have a similiar opinion?
As for the rest of the civilized world not wanting to invade Iraq. So what. How many of those billions of peoples even had a clear picture of what had been going on in Iraq for twenty plus years? I don't buy your arguments. But surely you as I have a right to voice our opinions.
But surely when you make a quotation like "military-industrial complex and war-mongering profiteers", it says a lot about where you are coming from. Would you suggest we pull all our military basis out of every country world wide?
Exactly my point. We have nukes in Okinawa but the Japanese have no say-so over how they are used. If Japan were to get the bomb the ChiComs would probably be a bit less likely to start saber rattling.
IW: "They don't have the bomb."
YW: "Exactly my point. We have nukes in Okinawa but the Japanese have no say-so over how they are used. If Japan were to get the bomb the ChiComs would probably be a bit less likely to start saber rattling."
Heck I can't argue with that analysis. And Japan's relative pacification has created some problems in the Pacific rim. It sure could be nice to have a Great Britain in those far northwest waters. The Chicoms would go nuts. But the Chicoms don't want to nuke anyone. They want to dominate the world through continue support of communist revolutions, and gain a equal or superior commercial strangle hold on the world. And mostly just stay in power and pretend that free market systems are what they are really after which is most probably a bunch of baloney. They are a patient people as you probably are very aware. Anyone in power wants to stay in power if un-apposed.
I think the only reason they have not taken Taiwan yet is because they have no way to project their military. Once they can start getting large numbers of soldiers from point A to point B, watch out.
"I think the only reason they have not taken Taiwan yet is because they have no way to project their military. Once they can start getting large numbers of soldiers from point A to point B, watch out."
I have no problem with your analysis. Guess we have to keep the over all scenario clear in our minds however. The Chicoms would have to do irreparable damage to the Island's military fortifications, bases, wipe out their airforce, coastal navy, etc.. Then land by air, wave after wave of paratroopers, assuming they are working on this capability, and move a huge invasion landing fleet across the straits.
Now would Taiwan and the United States just sit by idlely and allow the Chicom military to do that? Obviouse to you and I we could include a lot more things in the partial list I scribbled out. And surely the Chicoms have no intent on nuking the island. Then they would not be able to habitate it for a long time. Plus they would destroy the trillions of dollars of high tech companies which is what they really want to get their hands on in my humble opinion, yes and to under pretenses of national pride, unite the country into one.
I follow you there. The Taiwanese are light years ahead of China in business and technology.
"I follow you there. The Taiwanese are light years ahead of China in business and technology."
And they got lots of world class semi conductor cleanrooms and design facilities, producing lead edge technology semi conductors amoung other things. Chicoms are still in catch up mode in this area.
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