CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines — A K-9 cemetery at the former US Air Force base here, which had been demolished, will be restored, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) assured the public yesterday.
Noel Tulabut, CDC public affairs and information chief, clarified that the area is only undergoing a “major facelift.”
The contractor of the new dog memorial park removed the tombstones at the cemetery as well as ploughed and laid the area with soil, according to earlier reports.
Tulabut said the CDC’s tourism and promotions division is improving the cemetery for both stakeholders and visitors.
Tulabut said the tombstones would be returned to their original locations.
Lt.Guy Indra Hilbero of the 26th US Cavalry Philippine Scouts Memorial Regiment, a group recognized by the US Veterans of Foreign Wars, cried foul over the demolition of the cemetery, saying it violated the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act of the National Museum.
Hilbero said the cemetery, which was established for “dog heroes,” should have been preserved and protected.