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50-617: During World War II, Vizmanos fought the Japanese occupation by doing intelligence work for the Hunters ROTC guerillas in his home province of Cavite. After this service, he was selected as one of 50 Filipinos who were sent to the US to be admitted to the US Merchant Marine Academy . Among his batchmates were later Philippine Navy Admiral Romulo Espaldon and later Polytechnic University of

100-713: A Japanese convoy, which resulted in significant enemy casualties and disrupted their supply lines. This demonstrated the effectiveness of their tactics and boosted morale among Filipino civilians. ### 3. **Intelligence Network** - **Information Gathering**: Ver established a network of informants, including locals who had access to Japanese troop movements. This intelligence was crucial for planning attacks and evading detection by Japanese forces. - **Communication**: The Hunters employed various methods to communicate, using coded messages and messengers to relay important information and coordinate their operations. ### 4. **Community Engagement** - **Support for Civilians**: Ver emphasized

150-681: A leading figure in progressive politics in the Philippines, becoming one of the leaders of the Partido ng Bayan and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and continuing to write about Philippine political issues. Vizmanos died from complications related to prostate cancer on June 23, 2008. On November 30, 2016, Vizmanos' name was engraved on the Wall of Remembrance of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani , which honors

200-541: The Bantayog , is a monument, museum, and historical research center in Quezon City , Philippines , which honors the martyrs and heroes of the struggle against the dictatorship of the 10th Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos . Immediately following the People Power Revolution in 1986 that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos , Ruben Mallari, a Filipino-American medical doctor visiting the Philippines, proposed

250-854: The Imperial Japanese Forces in Manila was punctuated with talks of severe punishment, often times through threats of torture or murdering one's family if caught engaging in anti-Japanese activities. In one particular instance that is etched in Damaso's mind, he was hiding a piece of intelligence that can be used against the Imperial Japanese Forces. This piece of information was hidden within his pillowcase. Unfortunately for Damaso, his household would be raided by Japanese forces. They would search for incriminating evidence to use against him and his family, even searching his mattress. They would not find

300-521: The Kilusang Mayo Uno , and many groups in between. While not a flashy display, academics have noted that the diagram is one of the most complete compilations of resistance groups to have been made public thus far. Beside the main gallery of the museum is a permanent exhibit called the "Hall or Remembrance," which provides more details about the lives of the heroes and martyrs honored on the Wall of Remembrance outside. The Hall or Remembrance groups

350-682: The Philippine Military Academy and those who had graduated elsewhere. Vizmanos became more widely known to the general public in 1971, when he had the rank of Navy Captain and enrolled in the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). His NDCP thesis, which projected that the People's Republic of China (PROC) would eventually rise as a world power, controversially recommended that the Philippine Government recognize

400-516: The Philippine Military Academy came down from Baguio to Manila . On December 19, 1941 on the grounds of the University of Santo Tomas the cadets of Class 1942 and 1943 graduated earlier and received their commissions, under their Superintendent Col. Fidel V. Segundo (USMA 1917) forming the 1st Regular Division . An estimated 300 cadets of Class 1944 and 1945 were in turn disbanded and told to go home as they were considered too young to fight in

450-649: The "Consolidated Growth through Education" mural that symbolizes the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (1974). Established in the mid-2000s, the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Museum occupies the second floor of the Sen. Jovito R. Salonga building just behind the Wall of Remembrance. The wall features rallies organized at Plaza Miranda by the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties (MCCCL) from 1971 to 1972, with

500-523: The 38th Foundation of Bantayog ng mga Bayani awarded 13 honorees led by Artemio Panganiban and Rene Saguisag . The living heroes were crowned as “Haligi ng Bantayog” with handmade "Sablay" at the University of the Philippines Hotel. The central element of the Bantayog memorial is the granite "Wall of Remembrance" on which are inscribed the names of the martyrs and heroes who were the victims of

550-626: The Armed Forces of the Philippines would experience even more changes when Ferdinand Marcos beame president and began cultivating close ties with select officers within the Philippine Military and promoting them to key positions in order to have a strong influence on the armed forces. A promising officer, Vizmanos was later assigned to the Office of the Inspector General, eventually being given

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600-752: The Bantayog Museum presents a diagram of various organizations who were involved in the resistance against the excesses of the Marcos dictatorship, ranging from conservative groups, including faith-based organizations such as the Negros Occidental Women Religious Association (NOWRA), and the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines , and business organizations such as the Makati Business Club ; to progressive organisations like

650-618: The Bantayog's latest honoring ceremony last November 30, 2023, a total of 332 names have been enshrined on the Wall of Remembrance. Ang Mamatay ng Dahil sa 'Yo: Heroes and Martyrs of the Filipino People in the Struggle Against Dictatorship 1972-1986 published in 2015 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines , features short biographies of the "heroes and martyrs of the... resistance against

700-771: The Hunters ROTC in January 1942. He aimed to create a disciplined unit capable of organized resistance against the Japanese invasion. - **Recruitment**: Ver was instrumental in recruiting individuals from various backgrounds, including students and civilians, fostering a sense of national pride and urgency among them. ### 2. **Guerrilla Operations** - **Ambush Tactics**: The Hunters utilized guerrilla warfare strategies, conducting ambushes on Japanese patrols and supply convoys. These hit-and-run tactics aimed to inflict maximum damage while minimizing their own casualties. - **Notable Engagements**: One notable operation involved an ambush against

750-636: The Hunters ROTC pre-positioned themselves around the camp a few days before, relaying up-to-date intelligence reports on the camp. Captain Bartolome Cabangbang , leader of the Central Luzon Penetration Party , said that the Hunters supplied the best intelligence data on Luzon. During the Battle of Manila (1945) , the Hunters ROTC, under the command of Lt. Col. Emmanuel V. de Ocampo, fought with

800-675: The Japanese, was overrun by the Forty-seventh ROTC Division as it led the advance of American Eleventh Airborne Division into this military installation. Additionally, in Quezon City , there is a street named Hunters ROTC, and in Cainta a street formerly named St. Francis Avenue now bears the name Hunters ROTC Avenue. There is a memorial along the latter road dedicated to the guerrilla organization. Bantayog ng mga Bayani The Bantayog ng mga Bayani ( lit.   ' Monument of Heroes ' ), sometimes simply referred to as

850-555: The Japanese. Aside from engaging enemy forces in active combat, they also provided intelligence to the American forces led by General Douglas MacArthur during the Liberation of the Philippines . The Hunters ROTC took an active role in numerous battles, such as the Raid at Los Baños and the defense and recapture of Lucena City . When war broke out in the Philippines, the staff and cadets of

900-606: The Marcos administration empoverished the Filipino nation. The Salonga building and the Bantayog grounds often also host temporary exhibits, such as Toym Imao 's "Desaparacidos." The grounds of the Bantayong ng mga Bayani were designed by Ildefonso P. Santos Jr. , who was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Landscape Architecture in 2006. Business sector opposition Political sector opposition Religious sector opposition Student activists Reform

950-544: The Marcos administration. Upon his release, Vizmanos began playing a role in the opposition and had become one its leading figures by the time Marcos was ousted by the People Power Revolution in 1986. After Marcos went into exile, Vizmanos continued his activism and chair of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (SELDA), which led in the filing of a class action suit against Marcos on behalf of 10,000 human rights violations victims. He also became

1000-604: The Marcos dictatorship" while honoring all individuals who opposed it, regardless of their political colors or beliefs. The current chairman of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation since August 30, 2022 is Chel Diokno , human rights lawyer, current chairperson of the Free Legal Assistance Group , the founding dean of the De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno School of Law , and son of Jose W. Diokno . On April 9, 2024, Day of Valor ,

1050-716: The Military at the time, and kept in prison without charges for two years. He was moved to several different detention centers during this time, including a stint in Camp Crame, in the Youth Rehabilitation Center and Ipil Detention Center in Fort Bonifacio, and later at the Bicutan Rehabilitation Center. It was during this time as a political detainee that Vizmanos met numerous opposition figures who opposed

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1100-520: The PROC, shift its foreign relations towards diplomatic non-alignment, and formulate a new defense concept. The thesis was so controversial that it was widely cited by the media, and was met with hostility by more senior members of the Philippines' defense establishment, leading to Vizmanos' upcoming promotion to Commodore being held up by the higher ups. A year after Vizmanos finished his NDCP thesis, Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. Vizmanos, who felt that

1150-554: The Philippine "mother land" ( inang bayan in Filipino ), while the man represents self-sacrifice and heroism, alluding to the martys who gave their life for the freedom of the Philippine people. Three plaques on the monument's base contain the last stanza of Jose Rizal 's " Mi Ultimo Adios " in English, Filipino, and the original Spanish. The English plaque reads: "I die just when I see

1200-532: The Philippine Military Academy, and moved to Rizal Province in April where they came under Col. Hugh Straughn's FAIT. After the Japanese captured Straughn and Ver the executive officer, Eleuterio Adevoso took over. Many stories of sacrifice and heroism have been passed down through generations of former Hunters ROTC members. As recalled by one former member, Damaso Fernandez, the omnipresent reign of

1250-583: The Philippines (PUP, then known as the Philippine College of Commerce) president Nemesio Prudente . Vizmanos received his commission to serve in the Philippine Naval Patrol in 1951 and was immediately assigned to the governent's campaign against dissidents in the areas of the Quezon and Bicol provinces. Vizmanos had entered the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the height of the cold war, so

1300-703: The U.S. Army from Nasugbu, Batangas to the Manila General Post Office. The Hunters also jointly operated with the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary and the American soldiers and military officers of the United States Army in many operations in Manila , Rizal , Cavite , Laguna , Batangas and Tayabas (now Quezon ). A number of Hunters ROTC members, notably Terry Adevoso, were active in political organizing in

1350-430: The abuses of the Marcos dictatorship. Individuals honored on the wall are nominated by victims' families, civic organization members, or the general public. These nominations are reviewed under a set of criteria by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Memorial Foundation's Research and Documentation Committee, which makes recommendations to its executive committee for further review. The Foundation's Board of Trustees then gives

1400-433: The area near Manila , the capital of the Philippines. It was created upon the dissolution of the Philippine Military Academy . Here are some detailed accounts of Miguel Z. Ver's actions and the activities of the Hunters ROTC during the early resistance against Japanese occupation: ### 1. **Formation and Organization** - **Establishment**: Miguel Z. Ver gathered former ROTC cadets and other military personnel to form

1450-476: The creation of a memorial as a dedication to people who opposed the authoritarian rule of Marcos but didn't live past the People Power Revolution. The Bantayog ng mga Bayani Memorial Foundation was organized as a response to Mallari's suggestion, with Ledivina V. Cariño, former Dean of the University of the Philippines ’ College of Public Administration aiding with the creation of a concept paper for

1500-592: The dawn break Through the gloom of night, to herald the day: And if color is lacking my blood thou shall take, Pour’d out at need for thy dear sake, To dye with its crimson the waking ray." The monument was created by Eduardo Castrillo , a Filipino sculptor whose other prominent works include the People Power Monument (1993), the Bonifacio and the Katipunan Revolution Monument (1998) and

1550-501: The declaration was contrary to the values he upheld as a soldier, filed for early retirement. This was approved five months later, and Vizmanos left the Military service. Knowing his convictions and seeing him as a potential threat, however, Marcos' 5th Constabulary Unit decided to detain Vizmanos a year later, in May 1974. He was interrogated, subjected to a truth serum treatment commonly used by

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1600-515: The discourse of the time was highly polarized between those who held a western capitalist world view and those who held a socialist-influenced worldview. As the armed force of a "third world" country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines got caught in between, but leaned towards the West in light of its mutual defense treaty with the United States. Early on in his naval career, Vizmanos grew concerned about

1650-1385: The final approval. The initial intent had been to honor victims who had been martyred during the dictatorship period, but after extensive deliberations, the foundation decided to also honor people who advocated freedom, justice, and democracy during the Marcos administration who lived beyond the People Power Revolution. The first batch of 65 names was enshrined on the wall in 1992, including such figures as Kalinga tribal leader Macli-ing Dulag ; publisher Chino Roces and journalist Alex Orcullo ; former Supreme Court chief justices Roberto Concepcion and Claudio Teehankee ; former Supreme Court associate justices J. B. L. Reyes and Calixto Zaldivar ; Italian missionary priest Tullio Favali , Caoayan, Ilocos Sur parish priest Zacarias Agatep , Sister Mary Bernard Jimenez (enshrined as Mary Bernard), lay social worker Puri Pedro , Philippine Independent Church priest Jeremias Aquino; poet-activist Eman Lacaba ; student activists such as Rizalina Ilagan , Cristina Catalla and Liliosa Hilao ; Philippine Collegian editor-in-chief Abraham Sarmiento Jr. , entrepreneur Gaston Z. Ortigas ; as well as political leaders such as former senators Lorenzo Tañada , Benigno Aquino Jr. and Jose W. Diokno , Antique Province governor Evelio Javier , Zamboanga City mayor Cesar Climaco , and Dipolog councilor Jacobo Amatong . As of

1700-488: The heroes and martyrs into the various sectors that came together to fight the dictatorship, and features "capsule biographies" of each honoree. Other significant displays at the Bantayog include artifacts such as the Senate Seal used during the term of Jovito Salonga and artwork by such as Jerry Araos ' Utang na Labas ( lit. "External Debt" ) - a play on the Filipino concept of Utang na loob (inner or soul debt), and how

1750-439: The history of the period come alive for visitors by showing them that the horrors of martial law happened to real-life men and women. The museum primarily focuses on the years of Marcos' rule from 1965 to 1986, with a particular focus on events that took place after the 1972 declaration of Martial Law. But in order to provide historical context, it also briefly covers events that took place before Marcos' presidency in 1965 and in

1800-553: The importance of civilian support for the guerrilla efforts. He encouraged local populations to assist by providing food, shelter, and information about Japanese activities. - **Morale Building**: Through public speeches and meetings, Ver inspired hope and resilience among the Filipino people, reinforcing the idea that liberation was possible through collective effort. ### 5. **The Circumstances of His Death** - **Final Operations**: In July 1942, during an operation against Japanese forces, Ver and his unit faced overwhelming odds. Despite

1850-546: The intel hidden within his pillowcase. After the surrender of American and Filipino forces on Bataan, the Hunters ROTC relocated to the Antipolo mountains. The Hunters originally conducted operations with another guerrilla group called Marking Guerrillas , with whom they went about liquidating Japanese spies. Led by Miguel Ver, a PMA cadet, the Hunters raided the enemy-occupied Union College in Manila and seized 130 Enfield rifles . The Hunters are largely considered to be one of

1900-431: The largest involving 50,000 people on September 21 protesting " Oplan Sagittarius ", a plan by Marcos to declare martial law. Marcos would later sign martial law into declaration after his nervous reaction to the event a few hours earlier. The main collection of the museum features objects associated with the recognized heroes and martyrs, as well as with the historical period of the Marcos dictatorship, and hopes to make

1950-411: The martial law dictatorship." Another prominent element of the memorial is the 35-foot "Inang Bayan" Monument, prominently located near the roadside frontage of the memorial so that it can be seen by vehicles along Quezon Avenue near its corner with EDSA. The monument depicts a woman reaching out to the sky for freedom, holding the body of a fallen young man. The woman is a metaphorical depiction of

2000-545: The martyrs and heroes who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. This Filipino biographical article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Hunters ROTC The Hunters ROTC was a Filipino resistance group that fought against Axis forces in the Pacific theater . It was a guerrilla unit active during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines , and was the main anti-Japanese resistance group active in

2050-413: The memorial. The foundation soon established a Research and Documentation Committee for the purpose of verifying the nominees of the people who should be honored. From its inception, the Bantayog ng mga Bayani was designed to honor all of those who struggled against the 1972 martial law regime, regardless of their affiliations. As such, it has maintained a stance that is “uncompromising against Marcos and

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2100-703: The more effective resistance movements within South Luzon . The Hunters ROTC were among the most aggressive guerrillas in the war. According to some existing records, the Hunters ROTC launched a daring guerrilla raid on the 24th of June, 1944 at the New Bilibid Prison , which at the time was used by the Japanese, in Muntinlupa , Rizal . Collaborating with the Fil-American Cavite Guerilla Forces (FACGF) of General Mariano N. Castaneda , they began

2150-506: The offensive with the objective of freeing captured members of the Allied forces and obtaining more than 300 rifles located within the compound. This was the only time an armed force was able to successfully enter New Bilibid. One of the most famous successes of the Hunters ROTC was their participation in the liberation of Los Baños prison camp on February 23, 1945. While units of the 11th Airborne Division came over to Los Baños , members of

2200-497: The period immediately after the EDSA Revolution, up to approximately 1987. One of the highlights of the Bantayog Museum's collection is a replica jail cell based on the memory of Martial Law victim Hilda Narciso, a church worker who was arrested by Marcos' Martial Law forces, subjected to rape and torture, and was held with 20 fellow detainees in a cell no bigger than two or three square meters. An often-overlooked display at

2250-533: The post of aide-de-camp to the Navy Flag Officer in Command, and being groomed for promotion to the rank of Commodore. During this time, however, Vizmanos became frustrated by corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines becoming aware of anomalous transactions, professional intrigue, and unproductive rivalries. He became particularly aware of intense power play between military personnel who had graduated from

2300-446: The risks, he led his men in an attempt to disrupt a larger Japanese formation. - **Heroic Sacrifice**: Ver was ultimately killed during this confrontation. His death was a significant loss for the Hunters ROTC, but it galvanized the remaining members to continue the fight in his honor. ### 6. **Legacy** - **Inspiration for Future Resistance**: Miguel Z. Ver’s leadership and ultimate sacrifice inspired other guerrilla groups to continue

2350-580: The struggle against Japanese occupation, helping to lay the foundation for broader resistance movements in the Philippines. - **Commemoration**: After the war, Ver was remembered as a martyr and hero, with his contributions to the resistance celebrated in Philippine history. These accounts highlight the strategic, courageous, and community-oriented aspects of Ver's leadership during a critical period of Philippine history. Cadet Terry Adevoso refused to go home as cadets were ordered to do and began recruiting fighters willing to undertake guerrilla action against

2400-602: The tendency of Philippine soldiers to flaunt their authority over civilians, seeing ita s inimical both to military discipline and to civil-military relations. Vizmanos also became frustrated by the United States' practice of donating old equipment to the Philippine Navy in compliance with their obligations under the RP-US Military Assistance Agreement, noting that the practice led to significant costs in terms of repairs, and often led to accidents. Later

2450-555: The war. The cadets of these classes formed the nucleus of the Hunters ROTC by January 1942, with Miguel Ver in command, and Eleuterio Adevoso as his executive officer. The Hunters ROTC banded together in a common desire to contribute to the war effort throughout the Bataan campaign . They worked to protect civilians and to assist the USAFFE forces by way of intelligence and propaganda. They were founded in Manila in January 1942 by Miguel Ver of

2500-575: The years before martial law, even if they did not themselves run. Upon the declaration of Martial Law in September 1972, Adevoso was detained along with other political opposition figures. He was only released in September 1974 after languishing in jail as a political prisoner for two years. The Headquarters Philippine Army (HPA) parade ground at Fort Bonifacio is named Hunters ROTC Field. In February 1945, this area of Sakura Heiei (Cherry Blossom Barracks), as this military installation had been renamed by

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