Legaspenos Commerate Battle Of Legaspi

Students of Oro Site High School reenact the Battle of Legaspi

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – The City of Legaspi commemorated the 110th Anniversary of the Battle of Legaspi yesterday, 23 January 2010, at 8:00 o’clock in the morning.

The local chief executive, Mayor Noel Rosal, led the commemoration rites attended by city officials, students, war veterans and personnel from the AFP and PNP. The Guest of Honor and Speaker was Major Geneneral Ruperto “Raffy” Pabustan, the Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, based in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Mayor Rosal and MGen Pabustan led the wreath-laying ceremony in the monument erected for the fallen heroes in the so-called Battle of Legaspi. Afterwards, students of the Oro Site High School reenacted the said battle, vividly showing the insurmountable odds faced by the Filipino fighters who were eventually overpowered by the advancing American forces. It also depicted the exemplary unity and acts of courage of the bolo-wielding Filipinos who met the hail of bullets as they rushed to confront the American forces.

In his speech, MGen Pabustan recounted the heroism of the Bicolanos led by General Antero Paua, whose 800-man strong Filipino resistance forces fought a technologically superior invasion force of American soldiers supported by naval vessels equipped with heavy cannons.

“I have no match to the bravery shown by these heroes who offered the ultimate sacrifice for Legaspi and the whole country.”, Pabustan said. “Dying in defense of freedom and independence is the highest form of sacrifice and legacy that has been handed to us through generations. The protection of the freedom and integrity of our country is the utmost duty of all Filipino citizens.”, he added.