FOR invaluable service, bravery and sacrifice for the Filipino people, the late Antonio Montalvan, a Kagay-anon and a World War II (WWII) veteran has been recognized by House of Representatives.
Thus, said Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez after the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare chaired by Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman unanimously approved his filed Resolution No. 1912, Monday.
Rodriguez said the bill expresses the House’s gratitude and appreciation to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for approving the installation of a historical marker to honor the late Montalvan.
Rodriguez said Montalvan was a world war II patriot and a doctor assigned in Misamis Provincial Hospital (now Northern Mindanao Medical Center).
Montalvan was a member of an espionage team G-2, MC Liaison and Intelligence Officer, of the 10th Military District under guerrilla leader Col. Wendell W. Fertig in Mindanao, who reported directly Gen. Douglas MacArthur, according to Rodriguez.
Montalvan was arrested and executed by the Japanese, he said.
“I am very glad that a marker honouring our Kagay-anon hero Antonio Montalvan will finally be installed in Cagayan de Oro,” Rodriguez said, adding that our war heroes come from different places in the Philippines and not only from Luzon.
“History will tell us that we have great heroes from our very own City of Cagayan de Oro, Antonio Montalvan is one of them,” Rodriguez said.
The Committee likewise directed the NHCP to write a letter to the City Government of Cagayan de Oro for the location where the historical marker will be installed. (Ben Balce)
