101-year-old WW II veteran honored

MANILA, Philippines – The honor might be late in coming, but the exploits and sacrifices of surviving 101-year-old World War II hero Sgt. Jose Quilatan have finally been recognized.

Quilatan, who could barely walk, received a certificate recognizing his contribution to the guerrilla campaign during World War II. The ceremonies were held Tuesday during Philippine Veterans Week at the Philippine Army parade grounds in Fort Bonifacio.

“Quilatan was a member of the trigger unit of the Hunter’s Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Guerrillas, one of the main anti-Japanese guerrilla groups that operated in Luzon,” Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said.

Hao added that Quilatan, who served as a rifleman from 1942 to 1945, saved the lives of hundreds of Filipinos.

Quilatan joined 14 Filipino veterans, both living and dead, whose World War II exploits, bravery and heroism were finally recognized by the government.

Aside from Quilatan, the surviving veteran awardees included Commander Bienvenido Alano, Col. Guillermo Garcia, Sgt. Isaias Lucena, Pfc. Francisco Palamaran, Pvt. Pedro Olate, Pvt. Pedro Mayumay and Pvt. Juanito Pasco.

The posthumous awardees were Col. Teofilo Padua, Maj. Lorenzo Padua, Capt. Ambrosio Reyes, 2Lt. Marcela Rosales, Sgt. Luciano Lactao, Sgt. Olimpio Navales and Pvt. Apolonio de Leon.

Troops from the Army, Navy, and Air Force tendered a review for all the veteran awardees. Former executive secretary and secretary of defense Eduardo Ermita was guest of honor and speaker.

The weeklong celebration of the Philippine Veterans Week and the 74th Araw ng Kagitingan will end on April 11 with a sunset ceremony to be held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.