PVAO marks 76th anniversary of Nasugbu Landing


The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) virtually commemorated the 76th anniversary of the Nasugbu Landing Sunday.

PVAO Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina underscored that the Nasugbu Landing “marks the beginning of the liberation of the island of Luzon” from Japanese tyranny during the Second World War.

“Today, as the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we remember how this single yet significant moment in our history changed the course of war. May we continue to be guided by the solidarity and patriotism, our freedom of fighters displayed many years ago,” Carolina said.

The joint forces and cooperation between the American forces and Filipino guerilla units led to the historic Nasugbu Landing on Jan. 31, 1945.

American troops landed in Nasugbu, Batangas as part of the liberation campaign for Luzon. The Allied forces expecting a 7,000-strong Japanese force was surprised to find out that the shores were mostly undefended.

The landing faced minimal opposition as the Filipino guerillas and civilians prepared for their arrival and succeeded in pushing enemy troops to the mountains.

The Filipino guerillas also supplied the liberation forces with crucial information to ensure that the amphibious forces would land safely.

The PVAO Undersecretary dedicated this day to Nasugbueño veterans that “valiantly accomplished extraordinary feats out of their sense of duty and love of country.”

“To our heroes rest assured that we will tirelessly uphold our mission of advocating your welfare,” Carolina said.

“It may never amount to the sacrifices you have done but it is the least we can do to show how grateful we are for the gift of freedom that we release today,” he added.