Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales, who was among those who helped the Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc pursue the project, noted that the monument area used to host the Army artillery called Kampo del Pilar, named after Gen. Gregorio del Pilar who is known as the Hero of Tirad Pass.
The monument is situated in the so-called Global Gateways City here within the boundaries of Barangay Dau, Mabalacat.
Mabalacat tourism officer Guy Hilbero, a member of the artillery foundation, said the artillery center had been venue for new Army recruits from March 10, 1937 up to Dec. 10, 1941. It also hosted the Artillery School for Reserve Commission.
The monument consists of two posts which was preserved from the center’s active days, and a marble marker which recalled that the headquarters instilled in Army recruits “outstanding degree of discipline, esprit de corps, love for duty to country.”
“The artillery also reponded to the call to the defense of the country and served with the highest nobility and bravery in the war in Bataan and Corregidor,” the marker said.
