MANILA, Philippines – A netizen shared his frustration over the disrespect given to historical Death March landmarks seen being uprooted or left neglected on roadsides.
Robert Hudson shared on Facebook page “World War II Philippines” photos of Death March landmarks destroyed or uprooted due to road constructions. The two historical landmarks were from Mariveles, Bataan and at the Calumpit Bridge in Capas, Tarlac.
The post led to a barrage of comments of frustration and disappointment from netizens. Some called it an utter disrespect to history.
Hudson, whose father is a survivor of the Death March is also the vice president of the non-profit foundation Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME), which provides the maintenance on all 138 Death March markers.
He clarified that while the constructions are made by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), it's the contractors who should be blamed.
The Death March landmarks are found from Bataan to Tarlac as a reminder of the long walk made by about 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers during the World War II.
The 160-kilometer march is marked with 138 KM Death March landmarks starting in Mariveles, Bataan and ends in Capas, Tarlac. There are 100 landmarks found in Bataan, 31 in Pampanga and 7 in Tarlac.
Hudson shared with NoliSoli.ph that this isn't the first time that the landmarks had been neglected. He said several markers have been left on road sides, grassy lawns while some were even left in rubble. A marker was left in front of a random person's home, Hudson and his team were able to retrieve and restore it.
Hudson explained that each marker has a tile affixed on the top with contact information of FAME if there’s a need to move or protect the landmarks. He added, “This scares me because at one point in 1942, my father and thousands of others passed by the spot where each marker now stands.”
“We dishonor them by not respecting each kilometer marker. If it is true that about 10,000 [prisoner of war] POW's died on the Death March then each of the 138 Markers represents 72 deaths,” Hudson added.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Robert Hudson shared on Facebook page “World War II Philippines” photos of Death March landmarks destroyed or uprooted due to road constructions. The two historical landmarks were from Mariveles, Bataan and at the Calumpit Bridge in Capas, Tarlac.
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| Death March Landmark seen dumped at a roadside | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Robert Hudson |
The post led to a barrage of comments of frustration and disappointment from netizens. Some called it an utter disrespect to history.
Hudson, whose father is a survivor of the Death March is also the vice president of the non-profit foundation Filipino-American Memorial Endowment (FAME), which provides the maintenance on all 138 Death March markers.
 |
| Death March Landmark next to rubble | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Robert Hudson |
He clarified that while the constructions are made by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), it's the contractors who should be blamed.
The Death March landmarks are found from Bataan to Tarlac as a reminder of the long walk made by about 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers during the World War II.
 |
| More markers seen neglected | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Robert Hudson |
The 160-kilometer march is marked with 138 KM Death March landmarks starting in Mariveles, Bataan and ends in Capas, Tarlac. There are 100 landmarks found in Bataan, 31 in Pampanga and 7 in Tarlac.
Hudson shared with NoliSoli.ph that this isn't the first time that the landmarks had been neglected. He said several markers have been left on road sides, grassy lawns while some were even left in rubble. A marker was left in front of a random person's home, Hudson and his team were able to retrieve and restore it.
Hudson explained that each marker has a tile affixed on the top with contact information of FAME if there’s a need to move or protect the landmarks. He added, “This scares me because at one point in 1942, my father and thousands of others passed by the spot where each marker now stands.”
“We dishonor them by not respecting each kilometer marker. If it is true that about 10,000 [prisoner of war] POW's died on the Death March then each of the 138 Markers represents 72 deaths,” Hudson added.
— Sally, The Summit Express
