Bohol town honors WWII guerrillas, plans memorial shrine

Flowers and prayers were offered Monday, June 29, to honor the guerrillas during the 1st commemoration of the establishment of the Bohol Area Command in Barangay Maitum, Catigbian, Bohol. Mayor Benjie Oliva said the municipal government plans to build a memorial shrine in tribute to the World War II heroes. —LEO UDTOHAN CATIGBIAN, BOHOL, Philippines — The municipality of Catigbian on Monday held the first-ever commemoration of the establishment of the Bohol Area Command, honoring the courage and sacrifices of the guerrilla fighters who resisted the Japanese occupation during World War II. The observance began at the Catigbian Municipal Hall grounds, where local officials led by Mayor Benjie Oliva, surviving World War II veterans and their spouses, government employees, and residents gathered for prayers. This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and a 21-gun salute in honor of the members of the Bohol Area Command. Participants later proceeded to the historic “Behind the Clouds” site in Barangay Maitum, where flowers and prayers were offered in honor of the members of the Bohol Area Command. The event commemorated the founding of the Bohol Force, later known as the Bohol Area Command, the principal United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) affiliated guerrilla organization that fought the Japanese Imperial Army in the province during World War II. READ: Bohol Chocolate Hills: Cone-shaped limestone hills The Bohol Area Command divided the island geographically into structural sub-commands to maintain a strong presence and combat Japanese occupation forces. Catigbian served as the primary cradle of the Bohol resistance. The rugged barangay of Maitum (formerly part of Balilihan) hosted the original core headquarters of the legendary “Behind the Clouds” unit. READ: DENR declares Bohol’s uplifted coastal areas ‘geological monument’ Among its pioneering leaders were Captain Ismael Ingeniero, Captain Francisco Salazar, and Major Jose Nunag, who organized and led the resistance movement in the mountainous areas of Bohol. The guerrilla force later became known as “Behind the Clouds,” a name inspired by its hidden mountain camps. Historical records recount that Salazar would taunt Japanese troops with the message: “If you care to find us, search us behind the clouds,” referring to the well-concealed camps that protected the resistance fighters from enemy forces. The site in Barangay Maitum, about 38 kilometers from Tagbilaran City, served as one of the movement’s key encampments. Nestled in a deep ravine, it became the birthplace of Bohol’s organized resistance against Japanese occupation. Three camps were established during the war—two in Catigbian and another in Batuan. After the guerrilla headquarters was transferred to Carmen, the Catigbian camp was converted into a detention area for captured Japanese soldiers. During the commemoration, Oliva announced the municipal government’s plan to transform the historic site into a permanent memorial honoring the province’s wartime heroes. “It symbolizes the unity of the Boholanos in their fight for freedom. It also stands as a tribute to the bravery and leadership of those who defended our province. It is only fitting that we remember and honor their courage, sacrifice, and love for our country,” said Oliva. The mayor said the local government has acquired a 50-hectare property where a memorial shrine will be built to preserve the history of the Bohol Area Command and serve as a place of remembrance for future generations. The proposed shrine is envisioned as a lasting symbol of the unity, patriotism, and sacrifices of the Bohol guerrillas whose resistance contributed to the liberation of the province. Oliva hopes the annual observance will inspire younger generations to remember the heroes of “Behind the Clouds” and keep alive the legacy of courage, sacrifice, and love of country that shaped Bohol’s history. /cb