On Veterans Day, envoy sees stronger Philippines-US alliance

MANILA, Philippines — Citing shared history and recognizing how Filipino and American soldiers have fought bravely together in the past, United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson highlighted yesterday how the alliance and friendship between the Philippines and the US are stronger than ever.

Speaking at the celebration of Veterans Day at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, she said the American holiday not only honors but celebrates all the heroes who served in the armed forces as “an occasion for us to joyfully thank them for their sacrifice and their service.”

“To me, there is no more important or meaningful place to be commemorating this important US national holiday than right here in this beautiful location with all of you – our steadfast friends, ironclad allies and partners in prosperity,” she said.

Carlson said she met with Valentine Untalan, a Filipino World War II veteran, on his 107th birthday last week where she learned of how Untalan enlisted in the Philippine Scouts in 1941 to join those who heroically resisted the Japanese invasion.

“The valiant stand of the Philippine Scouts is credited for having saved Australia and New Zealand from invasion. These two countries would then become the staging point from which General Douglas MacArthur would launch his island-hopping campaign, leading to his wading ashore on a Leyte invasion beach in mid-October 1944, thereby making good on his famous promise: ‘I shall return’,” she said.

Carlson said Untalan was captured and forced to endure the Bataan Death March, which he managed to escape after several attempts even as over half the scouts, approximately 6,000, lost their lives in combat, the Death March and prison camps.

“It is truly remarkable that 81 years later, Mr. Untalan was able to celebrate his 107th birthday with family and friends, and we at the US embassy were delighted to be able to celebrate with them,” she noted.

Carlson said Untalan’s commitment to making the world a safer place didn’t end with his service in the scouts, as he went on to serve in the US Army and became an American citizen, earning him 19 commendations for service, including during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.