BALER, Aurora (PIA) – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) emphasized that the Siege of Baler stands as a powerful symbol of the Filipino people’s enduring commitment to peace, reconciliation, and human dignity.
NHCP Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., who served as keynote speaker during the commemoration of the 127th anniversary of the Siege of Baler and the 23rd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in Baler, underscored how the Siege of Baler reflects the Filipino revolutionaries’ deep commitment to human dignity and moral courage, even amid war and hardship.
“Even in the midst of a war against a new imperial power, Filipinos chose not to respond to their former enemies with hatred, but to act with dignity, befitting a freedom-loving people,” he said.
In 1899, the First Philippine Republic issued a decree offering humane treatment to 54 Spanish soldiers besieged in Baler.
Isolated and unaware that the Spanish-American War had ended, their numbers eventually dwindled to 33 before they peacefully surrendered and were allowed to return home.
This humanitarian gesture not only averted further conflict but also paved the way for a lasting relationship between the Philippines and Spain.
“We honor this shared heritage, reflected in our language, our faith, our literature, our art, and our memory. And we look to a future anchored in mutual respect, collaboration, and enduring friendship,” Jose noted.
For his part, Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray Delgado emphasized the historical depth of Philippine-Spanish ties, pointing to the enduring significance of the annual celebration in Baler.
“The strength of our degree of friendship, which we celebrate every year here in Baler, does not forget its past, but rather cherishes and builds upon it,” he said.
Delgado also reaffirmed Spain’s continued commitment to supporting the Philippines through deeper cultural, economic, and diplomatic cooperation.
“We approach the present and the near future with optimism and a commitment to contribute to a shared prosperity,” he added.
Enacted in 2002, Republic Act No. 9187 officially declares June 30 as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, honoring the day when Filipino revolutionaries, despite being at war, allowed the safe return of their former colonizers as a gesture of peace.
The annual celebration commemorates not only a turning point in diplomatic relations but also the enduring values of honor, humanity, and unity that define the Filipino spirit. (MJSC/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
