MARKING the 74th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, the Davao Korean Community Association in the Philippines gathered to commemorate the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of Filipino soldiers.
In his speech at the celebration, Maeng Bong Ho, President of the Davao Korean Community Association said “Seventy-four years ago, Korea was in crisis. The brave soldiers in the Philippines fought for us. Their sacrifice and dedication made today’s Korea possible.”
Maeng Bong Ho promised “to find ways to help the descendants of Philippine Veterans even on a civilian level, and that the Korea-Philippine alliance formed by blood should remain an important legacy for the present and future generations.”
Heading the families of the Philippine Veterans was Marcelo Cruz Ortigoza, 97 years old and the only living survivor of the Korean War when the late President Elpidio Quirino sent contingents of Filipino soldiers to help fight for the freedom of the Koreans in the 1950s.
Veterans who had passed away were represented by their surviving relatives and families.
The gathering was held at the Waterfront Davao Insular Hotel on June 25, 2024, attended by Hon. Edgar Ang, Pres. Chung Hee Suk, Albert Pacaldo, Yoo Jung Ku, Kim Jung Kook, Chairman Ming Jung Hoon, Remedios Josol, Nelson Estares, Atty. Emilio Soriano, Atty. Aven Caubang and Doc Rech Gabales.
A Korean War history video presentation was shown during the program.