General Emilio Narcise of Barangay Las-ud, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, RIP -- Community Forum

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Date Posted: Thu, May 15 2014
Author:
Subject: General Emilio Narcise of Barangay Las-ud, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, RIP

Our deepest condolences to the Narcise Family of Las-ud.

Let us pray for the repose of the soul of General Emilio Narcise.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

We honor and thank you for your service and dedication to our town Tagudin and our country, the Philippines.

From the Message Board

Here is an article from a few years ago where General Emilio Narcise was mentioned for his bravery during WWII.

PIA Press Release
2008/06/17

Fierce "Battle of Bessang Pass" remembered in Ilocos Sur

By Freddie G. Lazaro

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (17 June) -- National and local officials led the hundreds of surviving veterans and their relatives in the commemoration of the 63rd anniverasary of the "Battle of Bessang Pass" in the road junction in Barangay Bitalag here last Saturday.

House Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson, Veterans Administrator Ernesto Carolina, Retired General Arnulfo Banez – National Commander of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIP –NL) and Tagudin Mayor Jun Versoza were jointly administered the unveiling of the Bitalag Junction Marker to honor the valor and heroics of thousands of Ilocano-Filipino soldiers, who staked their lives to liberate the Bessang Pass during World War II.

Deputy Speaker Singson told that the place was very significant and historical considering that the Bitalag road junction was then served as the vital Japanese outpost that was then assaulted by the elements of the 121st USAFIP-NL on January 8, 1945 and was captured four days later.

He said that the siege of the Bitalag was the initial action in the "Battle of Bessang Pass farther to the east whose capture on June 14, 1945 hastening the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines during the World War II.

"The liberation of "Bessang Pass" is a symbol of Phillippine Independence during the World War II because this is the only place, a very significant and historical place in the country where our Ilocano – Filipino soldiers earned a victory during the war," Vicky Antiporda said.

Antiporda is the current vetaran's affair's officer assigned in Ilocos Sur.

The Bitalag road junction is the gateway in going to the Bessang Pass for about 2 hours ride uphill. Bessang Pass is located along the Highway 4 in Barangay Malaya Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

At the Bessang Pass, a monument stands on this strategic landmark 5,250 feet above sea level traversed by Highway 4, west of Cervantes, which served as the backdoor to General Yamashita's last ditch defense during the last stage of World War II. The Battle of Bessang Pass was won by the USAFIP, NL on June 14, 1945.

Ilocos Sur Governor Deogracias Victor "DV" Savellano, who earlier led the local officials and policemen in the floral offering at the foot of the historical monument of the "Battle of Bessang Pass" in Barangay Malaya, Cervantes to commemorate its 63rd anniversary, cited the country's history stated the "Battle of Bessang Pass" began with the assault on the Japanese line at Bitalag, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, by the USAFIP –NL on January 8, 1945, followed by the seizure of the enemy stronghold along highway 4 and the defeat of the Japanese defenders of the Pass on June 14, 1945.

The 5-month battle spearheaded by the 121st USAFIP – NL was conceded by the American military authorities as one of the most terrible and incredibly difficult battle of the entire war, hastened the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army under General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

About 3,400 men were killed and wounded during that series of fierce gunbattles in which the Filipino soldiers from 10 units with the supports of 8 American soldier's units were fought gallantly for freedom and peace.

"The commemoration of the "Battle of Bessang Pass" remind us the value of patriotism, freedom for peace and development in which this will serve as inspiration in combating different problems that hurl the country today," Savellano said.

In the Tagudin town's historical profile, it stated that the decisive Battle of Bessang Pass actually started in Barangay Bitalag, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur where a Japanese garrison was located. When the unified Filipino-American Forces named as USAFIP-NL captured Bitalag and later the heavily manned Bessang Pass, the man who planted the Philippine Flag at the peak of the mountain was from the same town in the person of the then Captain Emilio Narcise. Now a retired general, he was the company commander of H Company, the force's front line company and, thus, the first to reach the famous pass.

The capture of Bessang Pass was remarkable for it was the start of the downfall of the Japanese Imperial Forces. During the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Bessang Pass on June 14, 1996, Retired Brig. Gen. Emilio Narcise was the only straight-bodied veteran to receive a Gold Cross Medal from the then President Fidel Ramos.

Another remarkable accomplishment during the liberation was done by a Tagudinian in the person of Faustino Somera Sr., a boloman of the USAFIP-NL. He was responsible for the death of General Hara of the Japanese Imperial Army. Their troop headed by 3rd Lt. Jesus Martinez, a fellow Tagudinian, successfully staged an ambush along Almazan Road. The vigorous boloman chased the escaping general and ended the latter's life with a single stroke of his bolo. The commander, Jesus Martinez, is presently the President of the Tagudin Veterans Association. (PIA)

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