Unprecedented acts of bravery and valor, and exemplary competence and gallantry in action, patriotism and deep sense of nationalism were commemorated in the 79th anniversary of the Liberation of Panay, Guimaras, and Romblon on March 18, 2024. 

Eight veterans of the Second World War were honored during the event, one of which is 103-year-old Resurreccion Salazar, with the rank of private who has survived the harrowing 106-kilometer Bataan Death March in 1942 which forced prisoners of  war (over 60,000 Filipinos and around 10,000 Americans) to walk from Bataan to Capas in Tarlac.

His daughter, Sheila, expressed elation and gratefulness at the honors given to her father, but called out today’s seemingly nonchalant generation to honor as well the sacrifices of war veterans. 

On March 18, 1945, guerrilla forces of Panay Island led by Colonel Macario Peralta faced the Japanese Imperial Forces with courage to free the islands of Panay, Guimaras, and Romblon. 

Done simultaneously in commemoration of Victory Day (V-Day) was the offering of flowers to deceased war veterans, especially the unknown soldiers laid to rest at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in the District of Jaro, Iloilo City. 

According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine is the only military cemetery established outside of Metropolitan Manila. 

Balantang is the site of the battle between the reported 23,000-strong Filipino guerrilla force, under the command of General Peralta, and the Japanese forces.

Balantang Memorial Cemetery was declared a national shrine on July 13, 1994 by virtue of Proclamation No. 425.