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Quirino's pardon for WWII Jap POW commemorated on its 70th year
By J.Lo
"At the time, many Japanese people expressed their profound gratitude for his compassionate gesture which had decisive and lasting impact on our bilateral ties," Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa Koshikawa said in his speech Embassy of Japan marked 70th anniversary of former president Elpidio Quirino's grant to pardon more than hundred Japanese prisoners of war (POW) from World War II with series of ceremonies and programs.
Wreath-laying ceremony was held in front of grave of Quirino at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, attended by Japanese and Filipino officials.
Japanese Embassy also held program at Museo ng Muntinlupa, in Muntinlupa City, location where Japanese war criminals served their sentences in 1950s.
Titled "Peace for the Future," program highlighted historic gesture of Quirino in 1953.
Descendants of former president Quirino and Tatsuo Kono, military painter who relentlessly pleaded for clemency, graced event.
Koshikawa said trusting relationship between Japan and Philippines would have been impossible without Quirino's amnesty.
Envoy also said pardon served as crucial catalyst for restoration of diplomatic ties between Japan and Philippines in July 1956.
Excerpt from Quirino's 1953 extension of pardon states his decision is " act of faith to humanity," affirming love of one's fellow creatures would always be supreme law between people and nations, and basis of world peace.
"I should be last one to pardon them as Japanese killed my wife and three children and five other members of family, I am doing this because I do not want my children and my people to inherit from my hate for people who might yet be our friends for permanent interest of the country " Quirino stated in his proclamation.
Koshikawa claimed 80% of Filipinos now have positive opinion of Japan and that many of them trust it.
In move to strengthen ties between Japan and Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in summit meeting last February agreed to advance cooperation in economy, security and people-to-people exchanges.
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