TIMELINE: WWII-Era Bayambang

TIMELINE: WWII-Era Bayambang

(This is being posted in commemoration of the Lingayen Gulf Landing.)

As we commemorate the Lingayen Gulf Landing, we look back on Bayambang’s own wartime story directly connected to this event, when Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines to capture it from the Japanese invaders—a story of courage, sacrifice, and quiet heroism. The Second World War did not spare this town, as its people were thrust into a period of fear and uncertainty, forced to abandon their homes, endure bombings, and witness the destruction of familiar landmarks. Yet even in the darkest moments, the spirit of the Bayambangueños did not waver.

Bayambang became both a refuge and a battleground, a place where ordinary citizens rose as guerrillas and allies in the larger struggle for freedom. Many answered the call to resist, risking—and in many cases giving—their lives in the fight against the Japanese Imperial Army. Their bravery, whether in open defiance or in silent endurance, formed part of the backbone of the resistance movement in Central Luzon.

This timeline is offered in honor of those brave guerrillas, soldiers, and civilians of Bayambang, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice so that future generations might live in freedom. Even though they are no longer physically with us, may their memory remain a source of pride, gratitude, and inspiration for all Bayambangueños.

1940

Leopoldo Aquino won the election as municipal mayor and served up to the outbreak of the war in 1942.

1941

"The 1940s was marred by the events of the Second World War."

When Japanese troops invaded Bayambang, residents fled to the barrios by walking at midnight.

"Japanese atrocities left bitter memories among the Bayambangueños. Big buildings like the church, the schools and the big houses were the target of bombings as these were suspected to be the headquarters of the enemy. Many Bayambangueños joined the guerrilla forces who fought against the Japanese Imperial Army. Some of them were tortured, killed, and forced to join the infamous Bataan Death March.”

?1941

During the Japanese regime, Bayambang was made the capital of Pangasinan when Dr. Diaz was appointed Governor by the Japanese Imperial Government. Dr. Diaz held his Provincial Administration Office at the residence of Eulogio Dauz at the junction of Quezon Blvd. and M.H. Del Pilar St.

1943

During World War II, noted American military official, Col. Edwin Ramsey, set foot in Bayambang to organize Filipino guerrillas against their common nemesis, the Japanese Imperial Army. In the country's bitter struggle against Japanese imperialism, Bayambang had been Lt. Edwin P. Ramsey's East Central Luzon Guerrilla Area (ECLGA) headquarters for some time. ECLGA encompassed Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Zambales and La Union.

Ramsey's aide de camp was Major Claro J. Camacho of Barangay Nalsian. (Camacho would become the first pilot from Bayambang and would serve as Liaison Officer of the Philippine Air Force.)

According to local lore, Col. Ramsey evaded capture by the Japanese by hiding inside a taltagan (giant boat-shaped wooden mortar) in the barrio of Inirangan.

When liberation came, American forces bombed the big buildings including the church and Calvo Bridge. One bomb was dropped in the church and fell right in the middle of the aisle but did not explode, causing no damage – a miracle attributed to the patron, St. Vincent Ferrer.

Another bomb created a huge crater at the northern part of M.H. Del Pilar St. (The crater has been recently filled up with assorted materials and converted into the present barangay hall complex.)

When the military government of the Japanese Imperial Army relinquished its military rule, Leopoldo Aquino was named municipal mayor and served up to mid-1944.

1944

Mariano Fernandez took over as acting municipal mayor up to Liberation time. He was appointed by Pangasinan governor Santiago Estrada.

On December 27, former mayor Enrique Roldan was executed over a fishpond (Mangabul?) dispute with a rival guerilla unit but under the guise that he was a Japanese collaborator. The masterminds were eventually sentenced with reclusion perpetua. (People of the Philippines vs Bato; date of decision: May 31, 1950)

1945

During Liberation era, Ambrosio Gloria became the next municipal mayor after he was appointed by the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit of the United States Army. He served for about a year.

The ECLGA war veterans held their first annual convention in Bayambang Normal School (what would become PSU-Bayambang Campus today) on November 15, 1945.

***

References: Bayambang Quadricentennial commemorative book; website dedicated to Col. Edwin Ramsey's memory; Joey Ferrer

Photos: NARA; De Vera family, Daniel Anciano

(Corrections welcome)