Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 82d

Introduced by: Rep. Mark O. Go

Many Filipinos are unaware that Baguio was where the Second World War in
the Philippines began. After the bombing of the Pearl Harbor, the first casualty
of Japanese air raids in Luzon was Camp John Hay together with Manila. At
that time, the City was politically and economically strategic, frequently
housing President Manuel Quezon and the American high commissioner, who is
the direct representative of the United States government in the Philippines.

Baguio’s strategic military value was further enhanced by the location of
various army institutions such as the small garrison in Camp John Hay, the
Philippine army’s Camp Henry T. Allen and the Teachers’ Camp which was
then the temporary home of the Philippine Military Academy. Lastly, there was
also the Philippine Constabulary detachment at Camp Holmes, presently the
Camp Dangwa.

During the Japanese occupation, Baguio also became a favored Japanese
stronghold and there was an attempt to change the names of many places to
Japanese or Igorot. Camp John Hay became Asahi Barracks; Brent Road
became Balatok; Session Road was Mt. Data; Kennon Road as Benguet Road,
among others.

When the US troops returned, Baguio was again targeted by the first air raid on
January 6, 1945. What followed after was an almost daily carpet bombing
which nearly destroyed the City of Baguio. US planes bombed the City Hall,
Session Road and even the front of the Baguio Cathedral, killing hundreds of
civilians who sought shelter inside.

“IN



The Second World War also marked its end in the City of Baguio, On
September 3, 1945, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, then the commander of the
Japanese forces occupying the Philippines, signed the formal surrender
documents to US Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright and British Lt. Gen. Arthur
Percival at the American high commissioner’s residence in Camp John Hay,
formally ending the war. This event marked the end of a few but arduous years
of war and occupation for the citizens of Baguio and of the whole country

This proposed measure seeks to declare September 3 of every year as a special
Non-working holiday in the City of Baguio in commemoration of the signing of
the Instrument of Surrender of the Japanese and the Japanese-controlled Armed
Forces in the Philippine Islands to the Commanding General of the United
States Army Forces of the Western Pacific. This important piece of our history
should be accorded the remembrance it deserves. We celebrate as special
occasions less victorious events in the country’s history and the successful
ending of the war should be accorded the same significance.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO, 8721,

Introduced by: Rep. Mark 0. Go

AN ACT DECLARING SEPTEMBER 3 OF EVERY YEAR AS A
SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CITY OF BAGUIO TO
COMMEMORATE THE SURRENDER OF THE JAPANESE
MILITARY FORCES LED BY GENERAL TOMOYUKI YAMASHITA
IN BAGUIO CITY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. To commemorate the surrender of the commander of the
Japanese military forces in the Philippines on September 3, 1945, led by
General Tomoyuki Yamashita, at the American high commissioner’s residence
in Camp John Hay in Baguio City, September 3 of every year is hereby declared
asa special non-working holiday in the City of Baguio.

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,