Anything under the Sun
President Roxas — a war hero
Many had been said about President Manuel A. Roxas, especially after his recent birthday. But only a little was said about his being a war hero.
After the Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated on November 15, 1935, the newly-created Philippine Army established the School for Reserve Commission (SRC) to train potential officers of its Reserve Force.
One of the first volunteer-trainees who reported in Baguio was Assemblyman Manuel A. Roxas of Capiz. After graduation therefrom, he was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel in the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army.
When World War II broke out in 1941, Roxas, in full battle regalia, immediately reported for duty to President Manuel L. Quezon in Malacañang.
Assigned to Mindanao, he was later promoted to colonel, then brigadier general — the first Philippine Army reservist to become a general. When General Douglas McArthur left Mindanao for Australia, he invited Roxas to go with him. But Roxas tersely answered “I want to stay with our people.”
Later, when President Quezon also left for the United States with Vice President Sergio Osmeña, Sr. while in Mindanao, he also invited Roxas to go with him, Again, he answered “I want to stay with our people.” Lastly, when Lt. Col. Carlos P. Romulo passed Mindanao going to Australia, he also asked Roxas to be with him. Roxas gave the same answer.
When the Japanese invaded Mindanao, Roxas played hide and seek with them though already sickly. The Japanese then demanded for his surrender, otherwise they will execute the high ranking Filipino officers captured in Bataan and Corregidor.
Because of this threat coupled with the recent execution of Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos by the Japanese in Mindanao itself and his being sickly, Roxas surrendered.
During the occupation period under President Jose P. Laurel, Roxas was given a cabinet portfolio which he never served because he feinged sickness. Incidentally, this writer was a witness during the war when the Japanese showed a movie at Eagle Theater showing various Filipino officials of the Laurel government. There appeared Roxas looking sickly and thin but received the loudest claps and cheers, among them to the surprise of the Japanese. Actually, during this time, Roxas was in contact with the guerillas in Luzon.
After the war, the rest is history. He became the first President of the Republic of the Philippines.
