"LIBERATION PARK"
This statue feature of the American soldiers that honor Filipino and American soldiers who gave their life to free Cebu from the Japanese, during world war 2 in 1945. The Talisay Liberation park commemorates this momentous event in the history of the country.
THE HISTORY
On 26 March 1945, at 08:28 on Talisay Beach, four miles (6.5 km) west of Cebu City, the 182nd Infantry and 132nd Infantry landed on the west and east, respectively, after an hour-long naval bombardment. Japanese mines destroyed ten of the first fifteen landing tracked vehicles that moved ashore, effectively stopping the advance. Subsequent landing waves stacked up, but the Japanese did not exploit easy target
The next day, 27 March, the Americal Division moved into already devastated Cebu City, as the Americans began a rapid advance. On 28 March, Lahug airfield, two miles northeast of Cebu was seized, as Arnold’s troops began to confront two heavily defended Japanese positions in the outpost line, capturing one on the same day. The Americal Division grimly assaulted individual positions with tank-infantry teams and with crucial fire support from offshore Seventh Fleet destroyers, the Japanese slowly gave ground.
Pursuit operations began on 20 April, and together with Cushing’s guerrillas, killed any Japanese who turned to fight. Some 8,500 Japanese troops remained holed up in northern Cebu until the end of the war.
"Here is where the U.S. 8th Army led by Com. Gen. William H. Arnold and Capt. Albert T. Sprague, assisted by the Philippine Guerrilla of the 8th Military District under the leadership of Lt. Col. James M. Cushing, March 26, 1945. The presence is part of the Victor II operation carried out by Gen. Douglas MacArthur to recover the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros. This gave way to the liberation of the City of Cebu, 27 March 1945; and surrender of the Japanese to the province, August 28, 1945."
The statues at the Liberation Park went through a major restoration in 2013 in preparation for the annual tribute to the liberation landing on March 26. The park was also declared as a national historical shrine since it marks the location of the landing of the American forces in Cebu.
The park is now one of the favorite hangouts of locals. Residents in the area are aware of the significance of the monument in the liberation of Cebu and the country as a whole. Each year, a reenactment of the Talisay landing is held at the site. Representatives of the American and Japanese governments normally join the event. World War 2 veterans are also recognized.
The Liberation Park in Talisay City serves as a reminder for us and the future generations of the sacrifices our forefathers to liberate the country from foreign invaders. It also shows the special bond the country has with the United States during one of the dark periods in the history of the Philippines.
"History does not belong to us; we belong to it."
- Hans Georg Gadamer
Edric Brycen T. Juanero
8- Integrity
Edric Brycen T. Juanero
