The Zero Kilometer (0-KM) Death March monument stands in Mariveles at the “Pinagsimulan ng Death March” spot where thousands of Filipino and American soldiers started on April 10, 1942 their 160-kilometer grueling march to San Fernando, Pampanga onto Capas in Tarlac.
Another 0-KM Death March marker is located in Bagac town where another batch of surrendered Filipino and American soldiers began on April 11, 1942 their long walk to Capas.
The National Historical Commission placed at 70,000 the number of Filipino and American soldiers, members of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East, who became captives of the Japanese Imperial Army and forced to join the Death March after Bataan fell to the invading forces on April 9, 1942.
Thousands died on the way and while under incarceration in the Capas garrison.
There are 138 KM Death March markers with 100 in Bataan, 31 in Pampanga and seven in Tarlac.
War monuments like the First Line of Defense in Layac, Dinalupihan; the Abucay- Morong Line in Mabatang, Abucay; the monuments of Filipino soldiers in Abucay and Orani; the Pagbangon in Orani depict the gallantry of Filipino soldiers.
The Flaming Sword monument in Pilar shows the readiness of Filipinos, particularly people of Bataan, to defend democracy at all cost.
A tamarind tree in Barangay Sta. Rosa in Pilar and an acacia tree in Abucay, both more than 100 years, were also marked as deafmute witnesses to the Death March.
From a distance, on top of Mt. Samat in Pilar can be seen the giant War Memorial Cross. A close look inside this historic mountain will show the War Memorial Shrine where the Araw ng Kagitingan rites are held every April 9.
