By Nestor Abrematea
PALO, LEYTE -- The local government of Palo has declared the Guinhangdan Hill here as another tourist attraction of the historic municipality.
The Cross at Guinhangdan Hill in the town of Palo in Leyte province
(CBCP News via Rolando O. Borrinaga / MANILA BULLETIN) Mayor Remedios "Matin" L. Petilla said the Guinhangdan Hill has been declared by the Sangguniang Bayan of Palo as a municipal park under the institutional category. Petilla said as a municipal park, all developments in the hill will seek first permission from the municipality. She said they will seek the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the development and promotion of the hill. Petilla said that with the conversion of the hill as a municipal park, it will become another tourist attraction of their town which is the site of the historic landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte. With a height of 522 feet, historical records say that the hill was the entrance to the first liberated town of Palo in 1944 after having been heavily bombarded to destroy the garrisons built by the Japanese artillery units. Fierce fighting on the hill lasted for two days from October 20 to 21,1944 and claimed the lives of about 50 Japanese soldiers and at least three American soldiers. During Holy Week, hundreds of Catholic devotees trek to the hill for prayers.
The Cross at Guinhangdan Hill in the town of Palo in Leyte province(CBCP News via Rolando O. Borrinaga / MANILA BULLETIN) Mayor Remedios "Matin" L. Petilla said the Guinhangdan Hill has been declared by the Sangguniang Bayan of Palo as a municipal park under the institutional category. Petilla said as a municipal park, all developments in the hill will seek first permission from the municipality. She said they will seek the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the development and promotion of the hill. Petilla said that with the conversion of the hill as a municipal park, it will become another tourist attraction of their town which is the site of the historic landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur at Red Beach, Palo, Leyte. With a height of 522 feet, historical records say that the hill was the entrance to the first liberated town of Palo in 1944 after having been heavily bombarded to destroy the garrisons built by the Japanese artillery units. Fierce fighting on the hill lasted for two days from October 20 to 21,1944 and claimed the lives of about 50 Japanese soldiers and at least three American soldiers. During Holy Week, hundreds of Catholic devotees trek to the hill for prayers.