By Jun Velasco
CARMEN, Rosales, Pangasinan — Former Agrarian Minister Conrado F. Estrella Sr. said General Douglas MacArthur had revealed to him in l96l that it was in the town of Lingayen, this province, where he first set foot when he, along with World War II allies of the US, came to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese on Jan. 9, l945.
Estrella’s remarks would hopefully put an end to conflicting versions on where the American general actually landed.
He set foot on the beach of historic Lingayen Gulf on Liberation Day (Jan. 9, l945) which the province celebrated for five days until Jan. 9, at the capitol grounds in Lingayen.
The former deputy of President Marcos’ ruling political party -- Kilusang Bagong Lipunan -- said the visit of MacArthur to Pangasinan on July 6, 1961, was hosted by Pangasinan officials led by himself in his capacity then as governor.
MacArthur’s sentimental visit was coordinated with then President Carlos Garcia and other national officials, including then Senators Cipriano Primicias Sr. and Ambrosio Padilla.
Now 91 years old, Estrella said the visit led to the naming by government fiat of the highway between Balintawak in Metro Manila and Laoag as General MacArthur Highway.
A historical marker was constructed at the exact spot on the Lingayen beach (behind the capitol) where MacArthur and his forces landed, Estrella said.
The provincial government under Gov. Amado Espino held last week several activities commemorating the landing of MacArthur and the allied forces. The activities were prepared by a special committee headed by Col. Pat Orduna.
The five-day celebration launched a "new war" at the Lingayen Gulf which is designed to "liberate the Gulf from all forms of filth and environmental degradation."
Orduna, executive assistant to the governor, chaired the committee that prepared the program for the Veterans Day event, which was marked by a week-long, clean-up activity by hundreds of students, youth and civic leaders.
A program honoring World War II veterans in Pangasinan and a beauty pageant that selected Miss Freedom Day highlighted the week-long celebration.
Dagupan City Mayor Alipio Fernandez and Mrs. Priscilla Espino, the governor’s lady, crowned the Freedom Day queen, Aimee Flor Romero, of Dagupan City.
He landed in Lingayen or Binmaley in Jan.9,1945 but he first landed in Leyte with Pres. Osmenia in Oct.20,1944.After establishing the American forces there,the American forces attacked Mindoro Island in Dec.13,1944 in what came to be known as the Battle of Mindoro to establish a base of operation for the major landing in Luzon at Lingayen in Jan.1945.Dr. Guillermo de Venecia, an eye specialist who now lives in San Fabian,a first cousin of Congressman Jose de Venicia said MacArthur landed in Bonuan,Dagupan.MacArthur's entire forces landed in a 20-mile wide front from San Fabian,Pangasinan to Sual,Pangasinan where in Sual,the American forces destroyed Japanese motor boats laden with explosives they intended to launch against American ships in the Lingayen Gulf.But Gen.MacArthur personally landed in Lingayen or Binmaley,Pangasinan in in the first landing of Luzon but he first landed in the Philippines at Leyte with Pres.Sergio Osmenia in Oct.20,1944.
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