Wreath at the wrong monument

Raul Ilogon

LAYING a wreath in honor of Andres Bonifacio at the “Bonifacio”  monument at Divisoria park is a blunder that needs to be corrected.

But first allow me to tell you that the pages of our recorded local history, which dates back to 1622, are loaded with heroes.

Take the case of Datu Salangsang. He gallantly defended Himologan with the help of soldier priests against the forces of Sultan Kudarat. His successful defense led to the founding and establishment of the town of Cagayan de Misamis, now called Cagayan de Oro City.

During the Fil-Am war when Americans hijacked our independence, the town of Cagayan de Misamis voted to fight for our home and freedom. It was known as the Pact of Club Popular. They fought for a year. Many perished.

Then came World War II. The Americans surrendered but our people did not. Against all odds, they continued to fight until the Americans came back three years later. They organized themselves into a guerrilla force, established a defense perimeter, front and firing line, forcing the enemy forces to retreat and to confine themselves within the town proper. Outside town was guerrilla territory, a free country with functioning civil and military govenment.

For the historically conscious, this is one of the many times of the year that we grind our teeth and clench our fist in anguish because of the ignorance of our local leaders.

We celebrate national heroes’ day and historical events but never for our local history and local heroes.

Do we celebrate the Battle of Makahambus Cave? It was the first recorded victory of the Philippine forces against the Americans in the whole Philippine archipelago.

Do we know that Cagayan town was liberated by all-Filipino forces during World War 2? Our local guerrillas fought for three days and drove out the Japanese to Bukidnon.

Not only that, we also do not celebrate our local historical events. We don’t build monuments to remind us of their heroic and gallant deeds.

Do we have a monument for Datu Salangsang? Without his heroism, we could have been still under Sultan Kudarat and there would have been no Cagayan de Misamis/Cagayan de Oro to talk about.

Do we have monuments for our of World War II heroes? Please don’t place a wreath at the monuments of Jose Rizal, Mayor Justiniano R. Borja, Ramon Magsaysay and “Bonifacio” during the Araw ng Kagitingan/Bataan Day.

Where are the monuments dedicated for our local heroes?

Wait!

We have one built around 1928 at Divisoria during the term of the then municipal mayor Apolinar Velez. He gathered the bones of those who died during the Fil-Am war and buried them underneath, making it not only a monument but their final resting place as well.

Prior to the Fil-Am war, Mayor Velez was awarded with two medals by local Spanish government for his military leadership against the Katipuneros from Iligan who planned to attack Cagayan de Misamis. He was also acknowledged for his role in crushing the Katipuneros in Tagoloan. He was loyal to Spain and fought against the enemy of Spain.

During the Fil-Am war, commanding general Capistrano split his forces into two. One was commanded by Col. Apolinar Velez. Lt. Cruz Taal, the gallant defender of the Battle of Macahambus Cave, was under his command.

When peace time came, Velez became Cagayan de Misamis  municipal mayor (1928-1931). It was during his term when he built a monument dedicated to all who fought the Fil-Am war. To all who died in that war, he made it their final resting place. The Divisoria monument was built by Mayor Velez in honor of his comrade-in-arms who died for our home and freedom.

Calling it the “Bonifacio” monument is tantamount to desecration of the tomb of our heroes whose bones were buried underneath the monument.

If you wont believe me try pondering why the dedication engraved in that monument was not about the “Cry of Balintawak” or “Cry of Pugad Lawin” that are associated with Bonifacio. The inscription reads: “El Pueblo a sus Heroes”. It is dedicated to “Our Town Heroes”!

You don’t believe me? Go Google the translation of “El Pueblo a sus Heroes”.