NHCP deputy commissioner Carminda Arevalo and Mayor Ace Jello Concepcion unveiled a new historical marker marked as “Pinagsimulan ng Death March” at the same site where the Death March KM-00 marker is located.
The Death March KM-00 marker is one of 138 kilometer markers lining the national roads with 100 in Bataan, 31 in Pampanga and seven in Tarlac.
Arevalo said that more than 70,000 Filipino and American soldiers fighting in Bataan during World War II were rounded up after Bataan fell to the Japanese invaders on April 9, 1942 and forced to march the next day from Mariveles and Bagac in Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga where they road overcrowded “bagon.”
She said history records showed thousands died.
Upon reaching Capas, Tarlac from San Fernando, the prisoners again walked for more than six kilometers to reach Camp O’Donnel, where again thousands died while in incarceration.
Concepcion said residents in Mariveles and Bataan have long recognized the Zero Kilometer historical marker in the area as where the Death March started although the national government has not given official recognition.
The mayor, a lawyer, said it was good the NHCP finally approved the site as the “Pinagsimulan ng Death March.” He said his father, former Mayor Jesse Concepcion worked hard to seek the recognition from the national government through NHCP.
“Ito’y maganda para lalong maipakilala ito sa mga bisita at ang pinakamahalaga, hindi malimutan ng susunod na henerasyon ang kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno,” he said.
Concepcion said they are planning to build a war museum in the area.
Some WWII veterans attended the unveiling. Concepcion, Supt. Crizalde Conde and other officials rendered a salute for the veterans.
