Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone
Remarks
at the Commemoration of the Cabanatuan Rescue Mission
of January 30, 1945

Pangatinan Concentration Camp site
Sunday, April 6, 7:00 a.m.

Secretary Reyes, Secretary Ople, Governor Joson, Mayor Vergara, Former Secretaries Alunan and Ileto, veterans and soldiers of the Philippine and American armed forces, ladies and gentlemen.

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat.

It is particularly fitting and poignant that we gather for this solemn commemoration today, as our two countries once again stand together in confronting tyranny.

We will never forget the thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who suffered and died here, and on the way here. Today we also remember the courage of a bold group of warriors who rescued many from hellish captivity.

516 allied prisoners of war owed their freedom to Col. Henry Mucci, Capt. Juan Pajoata, Capt. Eduardo Joson, Lt. Rafael Ileto, Lt. William Nellist, and their heroic comrades who liberated this camp. They inspire us even today -- and they inspire us especially today. Their bravery and their sacrifices remind us that each generation is called upon to pay a heavy price for our freedom: Filipinos and Americans know that “freedom isn’t free.”

As we gather at this sacred site this morning, we also salute today’s generation of the protectors of our freedom. Thousands of men and women of the US armed forces fight today for the disarmament of a tyrant, and the liberation of his people. And thus, they fight also for our own security and freedom, and for the security and freedom of our children. Indeed, our special forces’ daring rescue last week of Private Jessica Lynch from her Iraqi captors -- vitally aided by the free Iraqi resistance -- echoes the successful raid of Mucci, Pajoata, Joson, Ileto, Nellist and the others 58 Januaries ago.

In today’s epic battle by the forces of freedom against those of terror and the rule of fear, the United States once again is grateful for the support of the Government and the people of the Philippines: first, the Philippines lent its strong voice to urge the Baghdad regime to comply with international law. Later, when the Iraqi Dictatorship rejected with finality that urgent advice to heed its legal obligations, and chose war instead, the Philippines has stood with us in the worldwide coalition for the disarmament -- and the liberation -- of Iraq, and for the reconstruction of a free country thereafter.

All Americans and Filipinos who share a love of freedom and commitment to democracy draw strength from the example of the liberators of Cabanatuan, now most of a lifetime ago, and from that of the liberators and rebuilders of Iraq today. May the sacrifices of our soldiers and our free people continue to strengthen our two countries, and our world, against all who would take from us our freedom and our security.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, at mabuhay.

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