04/04/2024
The Liberation of Cagayan
The battle for liberation of the town of Cagayan ( de Oro ), Misamis Oriental, from Japanese occupation started May 9, 1945. Four days later, May 12, it was declared liberated from Japanese forces.
3 regiments of all-Filipino guerrilla soldiers were involved in a general offensive. Three batallions from 109th regiment, 109th Division, with headquarters in Talakag, Bukidnon, was in charge of the frontal attack. The Batallion commanding officers were Capt. Andres Bacal - 1st Batallion, Capt. Alberto Chaves - 2nd Bn, and Capt. Marcilino Maagad - 3rd Bn.
Capt. Leopoldo Blanco was the Commanding Officer of 120th regiment, 108th Division based in Iligan, supported the left flank with 300 enlisted men.
While the 3rd regiment from 111th regiment of 109th division covered the right flank. The batallion commanding officers were Capt. Purito Rubio - 1st Bn, Capt. Felix Arcaña - 2nd Bn and Capt Ramon Onahon.
Major Pedro Aquino was the liason officer between the 108th Division and the 109th Division. While Capt. Eugenio S. Tabquero, G-3, of 108th Division served as supervisor of the operation and reprensentative of the Division Headquarters.
Incidentally, the general offensive was not meant for liberation of Cagayan alone. Our liberation was just part of a greater military tactical maneuver.
Regimental combat troops from US 40th Division was landing in Agusan on May 10 to link up with US 31st Division in Bukidnon, thus, cutting and isolating Japanese forces from each other.. Tactically, the greater objective of the general offensive against the Japanese forces in Cagayan was the need to clear and secure it from the enemy in order to protect the right flank of the landing US forces.
Weeks before the landing, Tagoloan, the left flank of the American landing forces was already cleared and protected by the guerrilla forces of Maj. Dongallo of 110th Division.
The guerrilla troops were facing about 650 well-entrenched Japanese soldiers scattered in various military installations and garrisons all over the town. The Japanese were still full of fight.
The attacking Filipino Guerrillas were estimated to reach 700 enlisted men and 40 officers. Aside from rifles, they were armed with few machine guns and mortars.
The guerrilla troops started attacking Iponan in the morning of May 9, 1945. They encountered slight resistance except at Iponan bridge where the Japanese fought with almost fanatical defense when reinforcement of 100 Japanese soldiers arrived. But by 11 am Capt. Andres Bacal, CO of 1st Bn of 109th regiment, captured Patag Airstrip. In the same day some of the troops reached the west bank of Cagayan river. However, they were ordered to withdraw back to the west side of Iponan river for fear of mishap in the coming landing operation of the US forces the following day.
7 am of May 10, the US troops landed, unopposed, in Agusan and proceeded to Bukidnon via Puerto through Sayre Highway, leaving the all-filipino troops to deal with the Japanese troops in Cagayan.
At 9:45 am, after the landing and bombardment of enemy installations and garrison areas by the Americans, the guerrilla troops started pushing forward to areas held by the enemy in Bulua, Patag, Carmen, Bayabas and Bonbon. The fighting continued up to the next day.
May 11, the 109th regiment met up with 111th regiment in Carmen while the 120th regiment held Kauswagan. The remaining Japanese forces withdrew south passing through Balulang, Indahag, Kiliog, Libona and Sta. Fe, Bukidnon.
On morning of the 4th day, May 12, 109th regiment was ordered to occupy Cagayan. Three battalions crossed Cagayan river in 3 points namely: 2nd Bn in Julao-julao ( site of Marcos bridge ); 3rd Bn at Japanese wooden bridge ( Yacapin st. to Lerio St, Carmen ) and 1st Bn at bombed-damage steel bridge ( city hall ).
By 9:30 am the whole town was occupied by guerrilla forces.
Defensive points in strategic areas of the town were established to prevent any Japanese counter attack. After the mopping and search operation, Cagayan was declared clear of the enemy.
Epilogue
Contrary to their training and experience, it is worthy to note the guerrilla forces were fighting a kind warfare that was new to them. Prior to the general offensive they were accustomed to hit and run guerrilla tactics. Ambuscade from a well-hidden area and running after delivering maximum damage was the norms.
The general offensive shifted from guerrilla to conventional warfare. No longer hit and run, but frontal attacks - something they were not trained to do nor had the heavy artillery needed in conventional frontal attacks, yet they performed exceptionally well.
They were successful in driving out the enemy, occupy Cagayan and secure the left flank of US 40th Division.
The mission was accomplished. Only Cpl. Bonifacio Jabonan was wounded while the enemy suffered undetermined number of casualties.
References:
History of Mindanao Guerrillas,
10th Military District
Philippines Archives Collection,
PVAO
National Archives and Records
Administration ( NARA )
Memoir of a Guerilla: The Barefoot
Army, unpublished manuscript of
Cpl Jesus B. Ilogon
