The Igorots [column]

Title

Identifier

Roll of Honor

Language

English

Source

Philippines 3 (3) May 6, 1943

Year

1943

Subject

Philippines--History

Philippines—History—Japanese occupation, 1942-1945

Igorot (Philippine people)

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

In a Japanese offensive in Bataan, the 20th Japanese Infantry Regiment attacked a position held by a single Igorot company. The Igorots preferred to die in their foxholes rather than retreat and they died to a man, fighting, exacting a terrible toll from the enemy.

Fulltext

The Igorots Ge1;t/ema:. ~'hen iou rd/ that Jtory, sr~nd in trib11te ro those ~::!!at:! lgMoti. -M.ACARTIIUR These lgorots are nameless. but singly, or as a body, che exploit for which they are remembered will rank among che masc valiant aces of heroism performed by men whose military feats h:ive glorified them co the stature of deathless heroes. Jn a Japanese offensive in Bataan, the 20th Japanese Infantry Regiment attacked a position held by a single Igorot company. The Igorots preferred to die in their foxholes rather than retre:n; and they died to a man, fighting, exacting a terrible toll from the enemy. The American High Command ordered a counter-attack. This assault was to be carried out by a tank unit supported br Igoror infamrr. The terrain, bristling wirh thick bamboo underbrush, and irregular undulations, would have been impenetrable but for the limitless resourcefulness which was characteristic of General MacArchur's troops. Led by an Igorot commander who "hoisted" his men to the top of the tanks, rhe rank unit rolled into the jungle, the exposed Igorot soldiers guiding the ranks through ~he marted morass, by beating on rhe curret of the ranks with sticks while in their other hands they held automatic pistols with which they shot at the enemy. "Bataan," General MacArthur is reported to have said, "has seen many wild mornings, but nothing equal to this. No quarter was asked and none was given. Always above the din of the battle rose the fierce shouts of the Igorots as rhey rode the tanks and fired rheir pistols." Losses were heavy on both sides, bur when the batde was over "the remnants" of rhe ranks and Igorots were still ther; but the 20th Japanese Infantry Regiment was nowher~ in sight. It had been completely annihilated. In recounting the story of this exploit to a group of his officers General MacArthur is quoted as having said that a!rhou~h he knew of many acts of heroism in batdefields all over the world, "for sheer, breath-taking and heartscopping desperation, I have never known the equal of those Igorocs riding the tanks." "Gentlemen,'' he continued, "when you tell that story, stand in tribute to those gallant Igorors." MAY 6, 1943 Buenaventura J. Bello .... the Filrpi11n J(honl tr.1, l•cr u ;.,, /•r, It nt../ /,f .:l:l· rath~r than obt·i,- 1he ]a/1.ttt< ,,. r•r.ler ,,, !1:11 tr ti£ :1,•d r1, .i11 /fag and fl, ti.;£. Phtl:/'/~u;( ,,,/ .. ,, .i.'11• •. ~·1,it· 11·t '"f(1·1 1 ;_.:, Sun'' 01 .. er bir '111/t: uliaJ;t _., /im,/l.rdot --QLT7<>'.'i For refusing ro haul down che A.meric111 1!.1g whid1 lkw side by side the Philippine tlag in front of th<: vill.i.i.::e schoolhouse. as ic did in .11! sd1ool build111.~' .JI mw the archipelago, Buenaventura J. !kilo w.1> ;hnc """ n in wl,l blood. He fell dead at the fwc of the: thin b:tmb''° pole which yet flew the American flag. Bello could have obe)'ed the J.11x1m·se ollic<·r "ho orden.:d him to haul down the Americ.rn 1l.1g. The l'iltp1no fl.1g w.is co remain flying in che breeze. le w.ts bm a simple maccer of untying a knot and letting down che ScJrs and Stripes. His students were not there co wimess the ignominious an. The classrooms were empty. All the children had remained in their homes at the news of the coming enemy. The rooms were littered wich tinsel and buntings and sih·er starshastily abandoned Christmas decorations for the Christmas trees that stood in corners, shorn of gifcs. and withered now. (Philippine schools celebrated Christmas about two weeks before Christmas time.) But even if they were there, those young people would have understood that their teacher was defenseless in the face of the armed aggressors. Yer Bello refused, and he was shot down like a dog. "We have no quarrel with you. All I ask is that you pull down the American flag and you can keep your own still flying. I will give you two minutes to make up your mind. If you disobey my orders my soldiers will shoot," said the Japanese officer who now turned to his men, ordering them to load and take aim. This was death. These many years he had been teaching his children the ways of democracy, instilling in them love for freedom, love for all the cherished ideals for which the American flag stood. Every Monday motning he had stood on chose front steps of this little school house and sung with his pupils the Star Spangled Banner and the PhilippinrJ National Anthem, as two little boys hoisted up the thin bamboo pole the American and Philippine flags. Bello answered, "I don't need two minutes. Tell your men to shoot me now, because I shall never tear down either of rhe flags." The Japanese Qfficer made a swift angry morion with his 7

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