Why Bontoc PNP camp is Camp Montes

By Roger Sacayaten

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Ever wondered why the Philippine National Police headquarters here was named Camp Montes?
    Some 30 representatives from the tourism stakeholders such as tour operators, tour guides, the academe, historians, and local enthusiasts motored to this capital town to visit Camp Geronimo F. Montes last Dec. 20 as part of historical journey to military compounds named World War II heroes with markers in the Cordillera.
    They were oriented on the activity sponsored by the Dept. of Tourism, Cordillera Administrative Region, to bring awareness to tourism stakeholders on the World War II heroic patriotism and military exploits of local heroes whom the military installations were named after.
    In a message by Karlo Altomonte, journey coordinator, he said participants of the historical journey came from Bessang Pass then came here to Camp Montes.
    This journey is to venture into other places depicting heroism of individuals during the World War II and the Hispanic period.
    For his welcome remarks, Lt. Col. Crisanto P. Sadino thanked the DOT-CAR and the group for including Camp Montes in the Cordillera World War II historical journey brings pride to the community and the province.
    Lt. Geronimo Montes was the fourth of the children of Kepkep-as and Agkopa, both of one name, from Samoki and born sometime in 1901. He was baptized by the Belgian Missionaries with the surname “Montes” that means “living in the mountains”.
    He entered military service as a private in the Philippine Scout and rose from the ranks, assigned from places until he was designated as 1st Lieutenant and became commanding officer of the “B” company of the of thew 11th Infantry, USAFFE.
    At dawn of June 4, 1945, he led his men in opposing the entry of Japanese soldiers heading towards Tocucan and Kalinga in a war at sitio Wakalan, just a kilometer from Bontoc which was the Japanese Army’s depot of machine guns and other heavy weapons.
    His men he fought with described him as an officer and a gentleman: “He had an extra-ordinary valor and gallantry; he possessed an unequalled loyalty to the Armed Forces where he belonged and he had a deep abiding love towards his country and people”
    For his bravery and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the “Purple Heart” from the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
    In May 15, 2013, Republic Act No. 10534, authored by Congressman Maximo B. Dalog, Sr and signed into law by President Benigno Aquino, entitled: “An Act naming the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office in the capital town of Bontoc, Mountain Province to Camp Lt. Geronimo F. Montes”.
    It is expected that after this initial historical journey, Camp Montes will be an added tourist destination in the province.
    Provincial Administrator Franklin Odsey, in his message, thanked the group for the visit and expressed hope that historical tourism that include Camp Montes be included in the advocacy and promotions of the Department of Tourism.
    Meanwhile, the Battles of Kussad and Angwood, both in Lias, Barlig which bear the marker of the National Historical Institute and the newly installed Camp Acmor in Paracelis will be the next destinations to be visited in the future.