LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Some 36 Pangasinense World War II (WWII) veterans will be receiving US Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award from the United States (US) Congress.
This, according to Pangasinan second district representative Leopoldo N. Bataoil in an interview on Saturday, as he himself honored his uncle and namesake, 3Lt. Leopoldo G. Bataoil (O-1913 Philippine Army Inf), with a marker built on the memorial park constructed in front of the family’s Purok Marcela Resort here overlooking the Lingayen Gulf.
The marker honoring his uncle will be formally unveiled on November 15 this year, during the veteran’s 101st anniversary celebration.
Bataoil said his uncle (eldest brother of his father) was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1943. He died during the World War II in Bataan, but his body was never recovered.
“This memorial marker will be unveiled by dignitaries from the US government and the Philippine government. On that day, there will be World War II veterans who will be attending the unveiling. They will receive US Congressional Gold Medals from the US Government and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office who will be here on that occasion,” he added.
Bataoil said, he flew to Washington DC, USA on Oct. 25 last year and received, in behalf of the Bataoil family, the US Congressional Gold Medal awarded to his uncle.
“I’m honored to receive it. His body was never recovered when he died during the WW II in Bataan, but he will remain in our hearts forever. I was born Oct. 22, 1953, 10 years after his supposed graduation at PMA in 1943, my father named me after him,” he said.
Bataoil said when the first batch of US Congressional Gold Medals were shipped to the Philippines, he was invited to the event and “delivered an emotional speech in behalf of the veterans”.
He said the first batch of gold medals have been delivered here in the Philippines and were received by several veterans and their representatives at the US Embassy last September 13.
The next batch will be given at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) during the parade and review ceremonies, while the third batch of medals will be awarded in Pangasinan next month.
He said the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act was passed in 2016, signed into law also that year by then US President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, Bataoil, who is on his third and last term at the House of Representatives and is currently the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said members of Congress finally approved the bill increasing the old age monthly pension of veterans from PHP5,000 to PHP20,000.
He expressed elation with this development, saying he had been pushing the bill at the 15th and 16th Congress.
“If signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, the additional pension will be of great help to the remaining WWII numbering to just about 7,000,” Bataoil said. (Liwayway Yparraguirre/PNA)
