The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) is addressing a historical inaccuracy regarding Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita's capture at the end of World War II. Contrary to the widely-held belief that Yamashita surrendered, PVAO asserts that he was captured by Filipino guerrilla forces, particularly Igorot fighters from the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL). Retired Maj. Gen. Restituto Aguilar, head of the Veterans Memorial and Historical Division of PVAO, is leading this effort to correct the historical record.
The Context of World War II
World War II, which spanned nearly four years, resulted in millions of deaths and extensive destruction. General Yamashita, known as the "Tiger of Malaya," led the Japanese Shobu group in Luzon and defied Emperor Hirohito's order to surrender. Despite this order, his forces continued to resist the combined US 6th, 32nd, and 37th Infantry Divisions, supported by various guerrilla groups, including the USAFIP-NL.
As Allied forces advanced, Yamashita's troops retreated from Manila to the mountainous regions of Ifugao and the Cordillera. The unrelenting pressure from the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) and the Philippine guerrilla movement forced Yamashita to attempt a regroup in the heavily fortified Nabuilaguian Hill in Kiangan.
Yamashita's Capture in Kiangan
After nearly a month of intense bombardment and fierce fighting, Yamashita and his remaining troops were cornered and captured by "A" Company of the 11th Infantry, USAFIP-NL, in Kiangan, Ifugao. This unit, primarily composed of Igorot fighters, played a decisive role in Yamashita's capture.
"[General Tomoyuki] Yamashita did not surrender; he was captured by the operatives from the USAFIP-NL," Aguilar explained.
The dire conditions faced by Yamashita's forces were severe. Aguilar described the situation:
"The forces of Yamashita were really cornered. He has to live in order to... magiging slaughter kasi if he will not come out, kung hindi siya lalabas kasi talagang most of the Japanese were already sick and hungry, so kung papasukin talaga ng guerillas, talagang maraming mamamatay sa kanila (it will be a slaughter if he will not come out and will make the guerrillas attack. Many of them, who are already sick and hungry will die)."
Out of approximately 80,000 Japanese troops who retreated to northern Luzon, about 50,000 were killed, primarily by Filipino guerrillas. Aguilar noted:
"There were only about 30,000 who surrendered. This fact was never fully documented by our historians, but it is part of the documents we obtained from the U.S. archives."
Rectifying Historical Records
PVAO has recently accessed crucial documents from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, which clarify the role of Filipino guerrilla forces in Yamashita's capture. After the war, American historians largely controlled the historical narrative, often overlooking Filipino contributions.
Aguilar noted:
"Sinurrender lahat ng Filipino guerrillas all over the country 'yung kanilang document (the Filipino guerrillas in the country surrendered all their documents) to prove their services during the war -- forms, rosters of troops, after-battle reports, everything including diaries. If there were photographs, they surrendered everything."
He emphasized the importance of these newly available documents:
"Fortunately, after 70 years, PVAO sent a team to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration in Virginia, and we were able to scan the original documents. They are now available on the internet, on our server, for reference by anyone writing history based on facts," Aguilar said.
He further noted:
"The rectification of erroneous entries in our history can now be done by ordinary Filipinos, now that the document is available for anyone interpreting the events documented by the guerrillas."
The Capture Site and Victory Day
Quoting a source, Aguilar noted that Pedro Indunan, who was part of the Land Communications Company detail, said, "It was Company A of the 11th Infantry attached to 121 who surrounded Yamashita on a hill in Mt. Napulawan, which locals call Nabigihan Hill." This site is in Hungduan, Ifugao, and is said to be the exact location where Filipino guerrillas captured Yamashita. He was then turned over to the Americans on the way to Kiangan, Ifugao, where the Yamashita surrender shrine stands today.
On September 2, 1945, World War II effectively ended with the capture of Yamashita. He was then ferried to Bagabag Airport in Nueva Vizcaya, about 90 minutes away by vehicle from the shrine. From there, he was flown to Baguio City for the signing of the "Instrument of Surrender" on September 3, 1945.
Celebrating Victory Day
The capture of Yamashita is commemorated every September 2 as "Victory Day," marking the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese rule. Republic Act 11120 designates September 2 as a special non-working holiday in Ifugao to honor Victory Day, while Republic Act 11216, enacted in February 2019, establishes September 3 as a special working public holiday nationwide.
Honoring the Last WWII Veterans
As of 2021, 23 centenarians, with the oldest being 103 years old, are among the surviving World War II veterans. The youngest living veteran is 98 years old. In the Cordillera region, approximately 30 veterans are still alive, including 22 in Baguio and Benguet.
The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) has no precise data on the number of Cordilleran soldiers who fought against the Japanese, but records show 250 war veteran spouses, though the current number of living spouses is unclear. The surviving veterans and their families have lobbied Congress to increase their allowances and pensions, which are currently set at PHP 20,000 per month. PVAO continues to ensure that their stories, particularly the role of Igorot fighters, are accurately recorded and remembered.
Preserving the True Legacy
The capture of General Yamashita by Igorot fighters was a pivotal moment in Philippine history during World War II. With the recent availability of original guerrilla documents, there is a significant opportunity to correct historical inaccuracies and honor the contributions of Filipino guerrilla forces. This effort not only preserves the legacy of these brave fighters but also ensures that future generations appreciate their vital role in the nation's history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Did General Yamashita surrender to the Allied Forces?
No, General Yamashita did not surrender. He was captured by Igorot guerrilla fighters in Ifugao, as confirmed by documents recently uncovered by the PVAO from the US Archives.
2. Where was General Yamashita captured during World War II?
General Yamashita was captured at Nabigihan Hill in Mount Napulawan, located in Hungduan, Ifugao. He was surrounded by Company A of the 11th Infantry, primarily composed of Filipino guerrillas.
3. What role did Igorot guerrillas play in Yamashita's capture?
Igorot guerrillas played a decisive role in the capture of General Yamashita. They were key in surrounding and cornering his forces, which led to his capture.
4. How did the capture of Yamashita contribute to the end of World War II?
The capture of General Yamashita marked the effective end of World War II in the Philippines. Following his capture, he was flown to Baguio City for the formal signing of the surrender.
5. What documents confirm the capture of General Yamashita?
Documents from the US National Archives, recently accessed by the PVAO, confirm that General Yamashita was captured by Filipino guerrillas rather than surrendering voluntarily.
6. How many Japanese troops surrendered with Yamashita in Northern Luzon?
Out of approximately 80,000 Japanese troops in Northern Luzon, only about 30,000 surrendered, while 50,000 were killed, primarily by Filipino guerrillas.
7. When and where did the signing of the surrender take place?
The signing of the surrender took place on September 3, 1945, in Baguio City. This followed Yamashita's capture and transportation to Bagabag Airport in Nueva Vizcaya.
8. Why is September 2 celebrated as Victory Day in the Philippines?
September 2 is celebrated as Victory Day to commemorate the capture of General Yamashita, which signaled the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation.
9. What is the significance of Nabigihan Hill in Yamashita's capture?
Nabigihan Hill in Mount Napulawan, Ifugao, is the exact location where Filipino guerrillas, particularly from the Igorot group, captured General Yamashita during World War II.
10. How did the discovery of documents in the US Archives change the historical narrative about Yamashita's capture?
The discovery clarified that Yamashita did not surrender voluntarily but was captured by Filipino guerrillas. These records have rectified previous historical accounts that had overlooked the Filipino contribution.
