Mayor David Alfeche Administration

Mayor David Alfeche
Vice Mayor Marcelo Tolentino


Introduction

          The administration of Simeon Canonero which was quite a long stretch of time ended with the victory of Mayor David Alfeche in the November 1959 election. Alimodian was under the leadership of Mayor Canonero for 14 years, the period that was immediately after the liberation to 1959.

The term of Mayor David Alfeche
          Mayor David Alfeche was known for his affable manners before, during and after his incumbency. He is a light-hearted man and a friend to all. He was born on May 19, 1910 and was married to Estrella Alfeche with whom he has two children, Herminia Alfeche Nieves and David Jr.

Pre-Mayoralty Days
          Before Mayor Alfeche ascended the mayoralty, he held various positions both in the government and private firms. Before the outbreak of the war, he was assistant local civil registrar and stenographer of Judge Cipriano Cabaluna, Sr. This position he held for several years until he became the secretary of President Justo Puga.
          Later, he left that job and sought greener pastures in the city. He landed a job as the stenographer of the Philippine Engineering Corporation. After a couple of years, he was promoted as manager of the same firm, but was transferred to Bacolod City.
          In 1940 he returned to his native town and worked as municipal secretary of Mayor Felix Altura, the position he held until the outbreak of the war. During the Japanese occupation, Mayor Alfeche joined the Civil Resistance Movement as stenographer of Gov. Tomas Confesor in the mountains of Panay.
         After the war he landed a government job as stenographer in the Court of First Instance, 17th Judicial District, Iloilo. He again transferred to a private company, the South Negros Lumber Company in Asia, (now Hibao-an) Negros Occidental. While working there he became popular with the townspeople so that he was first elected as vice mayor and in the next election he was elected mayor. Aside from holding the highest post in that municipality, he was also the manager of that firm.

His Political Career
         Mayor Alfeche started his political career when he launched his candidacy and won as councilor during the second term of Mayor Canonero in 1951 – 1954. Then in the third bid for mayoralty of Canonero, Mayor Alfeche ran for vice mayor and won over his opponent, Atty. Miguel Anas under the Canonero banner.
         Quite confident of his political bailiwick, Mayor Alfeche threw his hat in the political ring in the November 1959 election and defeated his opponents, Atty. Miguel Anas and the incumbent Mayor Canonero, who was an aspirant for mayoralty in his fourth bid. His running mate, Marcelo Tolentino, also won as vice mayor. His councilors were Teodosia Amarra, Jose Anico, Gabriel Alingasa, Silverio Amantillo, Salvador Altura, Aquiles Cabaluna, Felix Anas and Gerardo Pinuela.
         As mayor of the town, he tried his best to do everything for the benefit of both the town and its constituents. As the chief executive of the town, Mayor Alfeche took care of every detail in his administration and his first concern was the economic uplift of the citizens. It was during his administration that the credit union was organized in the community. This organization has helped much in the economic life of the people.

Alimodian National Comprehensive High School List Of Valedictorians and Salutatorians

 Year    Valedictorians   Salutatorians    Name of the School


1949 – 1950        Lilia  Alderete                Virginia Alingasa                             AHS
1950 - 1951         Loreto Alderete              Braulia Pedalezo                            AHS
1951 – 1952        Domingo Amaguin         Gloria Angostura                            AHS
1952 – 1953        Ireneo Amantillo              Lydia Alingasa                              AHS
1953 – 1954        Florecita Belandres          Carmen Alcudia                           AHS
1954 – 1955        Luz Salarda                     Quintin Alcudia                            AHS
1955 – 1956        Imelda Belandres            Gorgonio Broces                          AHS
1956 – 1957        Raymundo Pedalezo         Rodulfo Anas                             AHS
1957 – 1958        Felina Sina-on                Bana-ag Octaviano                      AHS
1958 – 1959        Romeo Amaguin              Juanita Alloso                             AHS
1959 – 1960       Florence Tolentino               Elvira Alli                                AHS
1960 – 1961        Angioline Loredo             Elena Aguaras                            AHS
1961 – 1962         Ermela Tolentino             Emma Garillos                           AHS
1962 – 1963           Letecia Tacal                Imelda Alderete                         AHS
1963 – 1964          Serapion Algallar            Romeo Boglosa                        AHS
                                (Boys Group)
                                 Lina Tizuela                 Josefina Almira
                                (Girls Group)
1964 – 1965              Ely Tizuela                  Felino Alejan                         ANVHS
                                (Boys Group)
                                Ninfa Saclote                Myrna Alicer
                                (Girls Group)
1965 – 1966         Yulomeo Florentino         Panfilo Allones                      ANVHS
                                (Boys Group)
                               Gilda Anico                   Virginia Tacal
                                (Girls Group)
1966 – 1967           Norme Adolfo              Pabiolito Allones                    ANVHS
                               (Boys Group)
                               Letecia Capitpit            Gadilla Amarillo                     ANVHS
                               (Girls Group)
1967 – 1968           Leopoldo Ambut          Trino Andicoy                       ANVHS
                               (Boys Group)
                               Vivian Alinsao              Ma. Nila Aliparo                   ANVHS
                               (Girls Group)
1968 – 1969           Gregorio Amarra          Santiago Amase                    ANVHS
                               (Boys Group)
                               Tomasita Alejan           Leila Caparanga
                               (Girls Group)
1969 – 1970           Marilyn Tacal               Agnes Alcudia                      ANVHS
                               Juanito Vinson              Emmanuel Tagurigan            ANVHS
1970 – 1971           Mary Ann Alto             Violeta Sanoy                      ANCHS
                               Ely  Arensol                  Vinick Albelar
                               Efren Anacan                Flordeliza Alpis
1971 – 1972           Prusimila Aliparo          Maylinda Saclote
                              Yvonne Alderete (Girls Group)       Felina Alquitran
                              Ariel Alcudia (Boys Group)            Onofre Amoto
1972 – 1973          Imelda Boglosa                              Arlene Menisis
                             Agnes Caparanga (Girls Group)      Jocelyn Alvia
                             Dominador Calisura (Boys Group)  Jessie Siasico
1973 – 1974         Sonia Alejan                                   Jimmy Almiranes
                             Nora Garillos (Girls Group)            Corazon Amarillo
                             Roger Alderete (Boys Group)         Joe Russel Arensol
1974 – 1975         Wynne Siaton                                Ma. Sharon Nolasco
                              Lolita Amo (Girls Group)              Marlene Alingasa
                              Domingo Allanic (Boys Group)      Andres Anaud
1975 – 1976          Rosela Ambata                             Teresita Perez
                              Cynthia Alderete (Girls Group)      Marilyn Alto
                              Rodrigo Cagud (Boys Group)        Rodrigo Tayong
1976 – 1977          Raymundo Cabangbang                 Romeo Andig
1977 – 1978          Gilberto Altura                              Cecilia Alinsangan
1978 – 1979           Perseveranda Juanita Amantillo     Ma. Jane Cellini Sta. Cruz
1979 – 1980           Rowena Dagdag                          Ma. Celia Canonero
1980 – 1981           Victor Amantillo Jr.                      Roel Alli
1981 – 1982           Viviene Portillo                            Mary Ann Salarda
1982 – 1983           Rosendo Escobar III                   Ma. Rose Almeniana
1983 – 1984           Ma. Orpha Alonsabe                  Ma. Lucia Borromeo
1984 – 1985           Geneveve Alfafaras                     Christie Amuan
1993 -1994            Stephanie Almira                         Caroline Capitulo 
1996 - 1997            Vanessa Ampil                            Flor Kenneth Alobin
1997 - 1998            Jonna Cabarang                          Cristina Alfeche
1998 - 1999            Kenneth Mondero                       Sheryl Jane Silva
1999 - 2000            Felimae Cervantes                       Ma. Lanie Sabidalas
2000 - 2001            Liny Garillos                               Jacqueline Gomez
2001 - 2002            Lucky Marie Caparanga              Nancy Castiva
2002 - 2003            Marjorie Ambut                          Juanito Amarillo
2003 - 2004            Realyn Amoyan                          Laurice Abadia
2007 - 2008            Jestine Chloe Alger                     Kristine Cubita
2010 - 2011            Zenailen Jhen Nedula                   Jann Ray Alib

ANCHS List Of School Principals (1947-2010)

ANCHS School Principal (1947-2010)

Mr. Pedro Robles
Mr. Felipe Toledanes
Mr. Crispin Vacante
Mr. Domingo Batocael
Mr. Jose V. Francisco
Mr. Wilfredo Lena – Principal-in-Charge
Mr. Numeriano Defensor
Mr. Fermin Monserate
Mrs.. Fe B. Andres
Mr. Dioscoro G. Gil, Jr.
Mrs. Phoebe Andiano

From ANVHS to ANCHS

From ANVHS to ANCHS
               In 1960, through the effort of Cong. Domitilio Abordo, the school was converted into a vocational high school. Under the administration of Mr. Crispin Vacante, rapid improvement was undergone by the school. A spacious quadrangle, the U-shaped building, the canteen, the Girls Trades building adjoining the administration building and the concrete fence were constructed during Vacante’s tenure.

              With the conversion of the school into the Alimodian National Vocational High School, the problem of administration came up. One principal after another headed the school. Mr. Domingo Batocael took over the post of Mr. Vacante as principal while the latter became head of the Related Subjects Department.
              When Mr. Batocael was transferred to Negros Occidental School of Arts and Trades, Mr. Jose V. Francisco, head of the vocational department, was promoted principal. When Mr. Francisco was transferred to Sta. Barbara Vocational High School, Mr. Wilfredo Lena, head of the Vocational Department, took charge of the school for one year. In the year 1969-1970, Mr. Numeriano Defensor was appointed principal of the school. In 1971, Mr. Vacante was promoted principal of Cabatuan Comprehensive High School and Miss Visitacion Sta. Cruz took over the post as head of the Related Subjects Department.
              By Virtue of Republic Act No. 2410 the Alimodian National Vocational High School was converted to the Alimodian National Comprehensive High School through the representation of Congresswoman Gloria Tabiana. The ANCHS was then under the Division of Iloilo. The formal turn-over of the school by Mr. Manuel Gonzales, representative of the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades, to Mr. Antonio V. Tanchuan, superintendent of the Division of Iloilo, was made in August 1970.
             On August 6, 1972, Mr. Fermin Monserate took over as principal of the school. Many improvements were made during his term. He was responsible for the leveling of the athletic field before the WISA meet held in the school in 1974. The concrete path from the main gate to the two-storey building was realized through his initiative. The grandstand and stage at the athletic field were constructed during his administration.
            When Mr. Monserate became principal of Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School, Mrs. Fe B. Andres took over. It was during the incumbency of Mrs. Andres that new buildings began sprouting in the campus. Among them are the Administration building, two-storey building for sciences and arts, renovation of the Social Hall and the further leveling of the athletic field for SISA meet 1983. At present the old Home Economics building renovated with the initial cost of P80,000.
            The ANCHS has acquired three permanent buildings since the appointment of Mrs. Fe B. Andres as principal of the school. No principal has ever given such improvements to the school. This can be accounted to the dynamic personality and persistence of Mrs. Fe B. Andres to give improvements that these buildings were constructed.
           The first building constructed under her administration was the two-storey Administrative Building which houses the offices of the staff in the ground floor and the library in the second storey. It stands majestic on the school campus and it can easily be seen as one approaches the place.
           The next building constructed was the two-storey 18-room building costing the government P2,000,000. This building houses the office of the Administrative assistant, auditor and the Science, English and Pilipino deparments.
          The another building built on the campus is the PE building which was constructed from the excess amount appropriated for the two-storey building in the amount P185,000. It was turned over by the MPWH to the MECS on March 20, 1984 and at the same time it was blessed by Rev. Fr. Justiniano Hingco.
         Mr. Dioscoro G. Gil, Jr. took over the post of Mrs. Fe B. Andres in 1992. Under his administration, new buildings were constructed, academic achievements and accomplishments of students has improved and at the same time he put Alimodian on the map of the province sports by enhancing the capabilities of the athletes on an improved training.
         At present, Mrs. Phoebe Andiano is the school principal of ANCHS and has made tremendous accomplishments very early into her administration. Lots of improvements has been done and implemented in the school fortifying the reputation of the school as one of the effective learning institution in the province.

The Early Years Of Alimodian National Comprehensive High School

Alimodian High School 1949 Teachers

The Early Years

             In July 1947, the Alimodian High School was finally opened. Mr. Pedro Robles of Leon, Iloilo was appointed first principal of the high school. Teachers from this place who were teaching in the Iloilo Provincial High School, like Mr. Salvador Amaguin, Mrs. Roqueta T. Belandres and Mr. Felix Amparado were transferred to the new school.
             As expected, numerous problems were faced by the students and teachers at the school opening. The school had to be leveled and the campus had to be fenced. The houses along Alibango Street had to be dismantled and constructed again elsewhere. This seemingly impossible task was accomplished by the pioneer students, numbering 50 headed by the class president, Napoleon Calderon.
             Two years later, a two-room, semi-permanent building was constructed from the pork barrel of the late Cong. Tiburcio Lutero. The Lutero building was located where the concrete, two-storey administration building presently stands.
            On December 3, 1951, typhoon Amy destroyed the nipa building. As a result classes were congested under the Home Economics building. The school head, Mr. Felipe Toledanes and the Parents-Teachers Association, pooled their resources together and put a semi-permanent Related Subjects Building. In its place today stands an imposing 18 classroom two-storey building which houses the Science, English and Pilipino classrooms.

The Alimodian National Comprehensive High School

Alimodian High School Founders


Alimodian High School pioneer teachers


Introduction
               Immediately after the war, school houses were burned and it was a great undertaking of both the local and national government to rehabilitate them. The War Damage Claim of the Alimodian Central Elementary School helped a lot in reconstructing it. But it was a different case for the secondary education in the community because before the war only cities and capital towns had high schools.
               If the greatest accomplishment of Mayor Simeon Canonero would be singled out, it would be most probably the founding of the Alimodian High School, now, the Alimodian National Comprehensive High School in 1947.
               Right after the end of the Second World War, schools were opened so that students whose studies were interrupted by four years of fighting could finish their respective courses. Since there was no secondary school in town, high school students enrolled either in Oton High School or in the Iloilo Provincial High School. The sad thing about the situation was that transportation facilities were so limited, or at times completely lacking that young people who were earnest enough to obtain an education, had to contend with searing heat of the sun and the heavy rain as they went on foot to their school 25 kilometers away.

Establishment of the Alimodian High School
               Cognizant to the deplorable conditions of the students, municipal officials deemed it wise to put up a regional high school in this town. Mayor Canonero called a session of the Municipal Council and barrio tenientes to ready plans for the founding of an educational institution.
               The main problem by those who attended the meeting was the site of the proposed school. Since the center of the poblacion was already relatively populated and many families would be displaced should the school be built there, it was decided that the school be built in the town’s outskirts like Alibango Street. The main factor in choosing this site was that a wide portion of the school site was owned by the Alderete family. With a big heart, the mayor led the owners of the lots adjacent to the family lot to donate their land. Many donors gave their lots gratis, but some were given lots in Anino Street in exchange for those they donated.
              The major donors of the school site were Mr. Wenceslao Anino, Mrs. Patrocinio Canonero, Mrs. Matilde Alipala, Mrs. Paula Amonoy Calantas, Mrs. Teodosia Amarra, Mrs. Natalia Amparado, Mr. Gregorio Angelitud, Mr. Mauricio Canuto, Mr. Jose Andeo, Mr. Tiburcio Alfiscar, and Mr. Hugo Alfiscar.
              The founders of the school were Mayor Simeon Canonero, Vice Mayor Anacleto Amparo, councilors Wenceslao Anino, Ignacio Amparado, Pablo Albeza, Gabriel Alingasa and Teodosia Amarra.
             Nipa and bamboo were the chief materials used for the construction of the classrooms and the Home Economics building. Mr. Ignacio Amparado, a councilor at that time, lent his personal money for the procurement of the necessary materials. Labor was supplied free by the barrio tenientes and their men and other civic-spirited people in the community.

Mayor Simeon Cañonero Third Term

Canonero’s Third Term 1956-1959

           The people of Alimodian did not have enough of the good works of Mayor Simeon Canonero during the ten years of his incumbency, so they elected him again for the third term beginning in 1956. And he did not disappoint his people because during his last years in office he initiated several endeavors which made the people regard him as one of the best of all mayors ever to serve Alimodian.


Other Projects
            The Puericulture Center that stands to safeguard the health of the residents came into being from the pork barrel allotment of Sen. Quintin Paredes and most of all Cong. Ramon Tabiana, who gave a lot of improvements in the municipality. The prime mover for the project was the mayor’s lady, Mrs. Patrocinio Canonero, the president of the Puericulture Center during the long term of her husband. She was even given an award by the Bureau of Health in Manila as an outstanding puericulture center president.
            During the rainy season, the Aganan River overflowed its banks causing damage to life and property. The administration of Canonero made a plan to deviate its course. However, the people soon realized that redirecting the river bed was not enough as the pressure of the onrushing current often lapped on the bank and diverted the river back to its former course. Therefore, in 1959, a river control was constructed to buffer the impact of the river’s flow. P30,000 from the municipal fund was spent for this project.

Other Improvements
             Several other improvements of the Canonero administration deserve mention. Among these was the repair of the HE Building of the local high school.
            Mayor Canonero was able to improve the town plaza from the amount given by Sen. Mariano Cuenco and Sen. Soc Rodrigo. To complete the Alibango Elementary School, the local government acquired P10,000 funding from the Provincial Board.
            Other notable projects included the repair of roads and bridges, especially in San Sixto, San Modesto and Almacen Streets. Sadly though, these construction works yielded to the test of time and today had been rehabilitated, repaired for a long term use.
             If the most outstanding achievement of Mayor Simeon Canonero would be singled out, it would most probably be the Alimodian National Comprehensive High School which up to this time has sent out alumni who have shone brightly in practically all fields of endeavor. This will be discussed in detail in my next blog.

Mayor Simeon Cañonero Second Term

The Second Term of Mayor Canonero
            Because of exemplary leadership and capability he demonstrated, Canonero gained the people’s confidence. This was manifested when they voted him again mayor in 1951 for the second term of four years. This incumbency proved to be very fruitful just like his first.


The Construction of the Municipal Hall
             The hallmark of the second term of Mayor Canonero is the construction of a permanent municipal hall. Before the war, the municipal building was a modest structure of wood and galvanized iron and it presented vestiges of Spanish rule in the town.
             The total cost of construction reached P65,000, quite a sizeable amount, consider the buying power of the peso during that time. Of this amount P55,000 came from the War Damage Claims. The remaining P10,000 was contributed by Hon. Jose Zulueta from his pork barrel. Today, the Municipal Hall stands proudly by the town plaza.

Infrastructures
               It was also during the time of Canonero when a grandstand was constructed at the Alimodian Central Elementary School costing P15,000 which housed the spectators of the different delegations during the Southern Iloilo Public School Athletic League (SIPSAL). However, age took its toll on the grandstand and it was demolished to give way to the Home Economics building.

Street Lighting
               Alimodian had its first taste of electricity after the war when the street lighting system was put up in the poblacion. Providing the power was the Alimodian Electric Light Service of Mrs. Natalia Amparado, a prominent citizen of Alimodian.

Land Titles were Facilitated by Mayor Canonero
               Even before the outbreak of the war, the land in Alimodian did not have titles, unlike in other towns. To enable the people to contract loans from the bank, there was a felt need for land titles. Mayor Canonero authorized the Certeza Surveying Company to survey the lands in Alimodian. After the owners were given titles, the people could enter into loan agreement with any bank.

Other Improvements
                Another achievement during the second term of Mayor Canonero was the construction of the Home Economics Building at the Alimodian High School. Although, the building is now destroyed and has been replaced by a new one, it served its purpose during its time.

Service to the Barrio
                 While improvements were being undertaken in the poblacion, the barrios were not neglected by Mayor Canonero. One of the projects being undertaken by him was the irrigation canals from a stream to the ricefields in Barrio Coline. The irrigation was a great help to the people in that barrio because before they depended wholly on the blessings of the skies before they could plant their crops.
                 To transport the products from Sulong and Sinamay, the mayor had a feeder road constructed in the amount of P5,000 from the pork barrel of San Quintin Paredes.
                 Because of scarcity of water in the barrios, artesian wells were constructed in Barrio Bancal, Buhay and Alegria Street.

Mayor Simeon Cañonero First Term

1948 Municipal Officials

First Term

The tenure of the officials appointed by the military government was only temporary as the local officials were to be elected by the people in the election of November 1947. Mayor Simeon Canonero and Vice Mayor Anacleto Amparo won in that election.

The councilors who were elected were Ignacio Amparado, Pablo Albeza, Salvador Tolentino, Teodosia Amarra, Wenceslao Anino and Jose Aligaen. The mayor’s secretary was Federico Ambata.

Rehabilitation of Life in the Poblacion

Two years after the Japanese invaders have left, the life of the people was still fraught with vestiges of the war. The routinary life in the community was jolted into wild disarray by the rampaging Japs and the defending Filipino-American combined forces. Because the people had been physically and psychologically fatigued by the war, the government of Mayor Simeon Canonero thought it wise to bring back a semblance of normalcy in the aftermath of the war.

To realize this end, the local government tried its best to request the Treasurer of the Philippines to expedite the redemption of emergency notes so that it would help rehabilitate the people. The redemption of the emergency notes benefitted the populace who were little by little picking up the pieces of their shattered life.

Although, agriculture was the main source of livelihood of the people, production was very low in the late 1940’s. At the same time, capital for production was not available, thus lowering the net yield. There was an acute rice shortage throughout the country and Alimodian suffered the same fate. In this state of crisis Mayor Canonero requisitioned for rice from the NARIC.

To improve the economic life of the people, the Municipal Council passed a resolution requiring owners of vacant lots in the Poblacion to transform them into home gardens. Poultry and swine raising was also encouraged so as to mitigate the lack of livestock for the people’s consumption. The campaign for food production through self-help was successful that in no time Alimodian came to be regarded as the egg basket of Iloilo.

Infrastructure Project

Many of the public structures in the poblacion and barrios became helpless victims of Japanese artillery attacks and arson attempts of the Filipinos forces retaliating maneuvers and the looting sprees of the economically-deprived Alimodiananons and evacuees. During Mayor Canonero’s tenure of office, roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure destroyed during the war were rebuilt and made functional.

From the Philippine War Damage Claim, school buildings in the poblacion and barrios were reconstructed. The rehabilitation of school buildings was given priority because of the surge of enrolment figures after the war and the acceleration program in the elementary schools so that deserving students might be promoted to higher levels and make up for the years wasted during the war. Many of the rooms constructed through the war damage claims still house classes today.

Since roads became virtually impassable, Mayor Canonero requested P10,000 pesos each from the pork barrel of Hons. Camilo Osias, Jose Zulueta, Jose Laurel and Gil Puyat for the asphalting of the provincial road connecting Alimodian to San Miguel. The reconstruction made mobility of people and produce info and out of Alimodian more convenient.

Liberation and the Incumbency of Mayor Canonero

Mayor Simeon Canonero
Vice Mayor Anacleto Amparo

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Introduction

               The Second World War ended by the signing of the Japanese surrender document aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The whole country lay prostrate with practically all buildings down to the ground. Thousands of people were homeless and the Alimodiananons were no exception.

               There was destruction of farms, work animals, machinery, buildings, roads, bridges and more important is the loss of thousands of lives. There was no production during the first months of the liberation. The problems that confronted the government were a challenge to the statesmanship of President Sergio Osmena (pronounced as Osmenya) and to the courage and spirit of cooperation among the people. Alimodian was a no man’s land when the country was liberated. Houses were burned and demolished. When the people returned to town after peace was proclaimed, they have to live in makeshifts of bamboo and nipa just to have shelter over their heads.

                The American government had its share of the damages brought about by the war. The people were paid by the American government in the form of reparations. In addition to this payment, guerilla notes issued during the war were redeemed.

                 In order to make the government responsive to the needs of the people, the local government was reorganized in March 1945, Mayor Felix Altura, who was the mayor before the war and during the war years, came back to office until the military government appointed Simeon Cañonero ( pronounced as Canyonero) as mayor on May 15, 1946. His vice mayor was Anacleto Amparo and the councilors were Gelacio Allones, Wenceslao Anino, Teodosia Amarra, Pablo Albeza and Clara Alegrado.

                  Mayor Canonero is the municipal mayor who has served the town the longest, two years as appointed by the military authorities and three terms of four years each as elected by the people. His good deeds and accomplishments endeared him to the people who remember him as one of the best administrators the town ever had.

Death Casualties (Alimodiananons) During World War II

“They died so others may live”

Note:


Name of Officer
Rank
Date of Death
Place of Death

Philippine Army

Killed in Action (KIA):

Officers:
1. Alvior, Jose G. - Major, Inf. 3 March 1944, Sitio Balwa, Alimodian, Iloilo
2. Rosario, Marcelo del - 1st Lt. ,Inf. 17 April 1944, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
3. Amuan, Esperidion - 3rd Lt., Inf. 14 March 1945, Pipi Hill, Tigbauan, Iloilo


Enlisted Men:
1. Alcarioto, Clemente - Pvt. Inf. 29 June 1944, Dumo-ong Hill, Janiuay, Iloilo
2. Alcudia, Felix - Pvt. Inf. 17 August 1943, Alimodian, Iloilo
3. Alegrado, Baldomero - S/Sgt. Inf. 4 March 1943, Cabatuan, Iloilo
4. Alingalan, Manuel - Pvt. Inf. 27 June 1944, Cabatuan, Iloilo
5. Allonar, Emilio - Pfc. Inf. 23 March 1945, Alimodian, Iloilo
6. Amodia, Filemon - Pv. CWS, 3 June 1943, Passi, Iloilo
7. Andam, Pedro - Pvt. Inf., 28 June 1944, Janiuay, Iloilo
8. Anglacer, Miguel - Pvt. Inf., 20 April 1944, Alimodian, Iloilo
9. Cordero, Bernardino - Pvt. MC, 1943, Alimodian, Iloilo
10. Esconde, Leopoldo - Pfc. FA, 15 May 1945, Liwit, Tangkalan, Bukidnon


Captured by the Enemy and Killed:

Officer:
1. Salarda, Cornelio - 3rd Lt. Inf., 9 June 1944, Barbaza, Antique

Enlisted Men:
1. Alminaza, Vicente - Pfc. Inf., 21 October 1943, Cabatuan, Iloilo
2. Almira, Angel - Pfc. Inf., 1 March 1943, Alimodian, Iloilo
3. Alvior, Benjamin V. - M/Sgt., Inf., 17 February 1943, Bo. Natividad, Iloilo
4. Amoto, Federico - Pvt., Inf., 1942, Mindanao
5. Rodriguez, Antero - Pvt., Inf. 25 November 1942, Alimodian, Iloilo



U.S. Navy & Philippine Scouts, U.S. Army

1. Calderon, David, USN - POW, 21 September 1942, Camp Odonnel, Capas, Tarlac
2. Tolentino, Enrique, PS - KIA, 1942, Bataan
3. Tolentino, Filemon, PS - POW, 20 May 1942, Camp Odonnel, Capas, Tarlac



Legend:

KIA – Killed in Action

POW – Prisoner of War

Heroic Death of Lt. Marcelo Del Rosario

Lt. Marcelo del Rosario
            Lt. Marcelo del Rosario was considered the most outstanding and courageous combat officer in Iloilo during the guerilla years. He was the commanding officer of “A” Company, who was responsible for inflicting the most PC (Philippine Constabulary all Filipino Prisoners of War) casualties in Mandurriao and Jaro. They were able to kill 14 enemies and capture some in the attack of February 10, 1944.

           Lt. del Rosario conferred with Lt. Barrios, Commanding Officer of the 5th Iloilo PC Company, of their friendly mission three days before that fateful day of April 17, 1944.
          Then on that day, Lt. del Rosario accompanied by his men, were met with friendly greeting. But as they were entering the threshold of the garrison, the PC’s rushed to their defensive position.
          Lt. Gotico saw a rifle leveled toward Lt. del Rosario just a few inches from his chest. In seconds he fell. His men fired at the enemies killing some and wounding others.
          Lt. del Rosario who was a fearless fighter, was a victim of treachery by his countrymen. The PC’s and the Japanese wrecked their hatred on him by parading his dead body in Iloilo City as their trophy.
         Lt. del Rosario is the husband of Tiya Nena del Rosario and the grandfather of three Jo sisters of this town.

Alimodian’s Share of the War

         Another officer who died in the hands of the enemy was Lt. Cornelio Salarda, assistant regimental adjutant of the 65th Infantry Regiment stationed in Barbaza, Antique. He was with his senior officer Capt. Gil Mijares. The enemy was able to capture a lot of valuable and telltale records and documents that the S1 Section had custody of. It was reported that the barbarous enemy tortured them horribly and brutally to extract precious information from them. But they steadfastly refused to cooperate even as they bore the inhumane tortures inflicted upon them stoically and heroically. They pleaded that they be treated as prisoners of war, but the savage Japanese practically mangled the bodies of their captives to death, with bayonets and slashes of their samurai swords.
         Lt. Esperidion Amuan of Barangay Sulong, Alimodian died of mortal wounds inflicted by the enemies while participating in the attack of Mojin and Pipi in Tigbauan, Iloilo on March 13, 1945. While courageously leading his men, scrambling up against a strongly defended enemy emplacement, he was killed by a direct hit of the enemy’s knee mortar shell.
        Two days later, after a TE DEUM mass officiated by a ranking Roman priest evacuee at Major Manikan’s battalion CP, he was buried with military honors at the Tigbauan just five days after he was killed in action.
        Alimodian was popular during the war years because it was the center of evacuation of civilians from the city. It was in Barangay Balabago that the first ambush led by Col. Peralta, overall commander of the Panay Guerilla, took place on May 7, 1942. It was in Barangay Dalid where Col. Julian Chavez, 63rd Regimental Commander, established his Command Post preparatory to the landing of the American Forces in Tigbauan.
        It was also in Alimodian where the 63rd Regimental Hospital, headed by then Capt. Alejandro Nery Cruz, MD, was established. It was housed in the old central school building, now the site of the Alimodian Water District and Kilusang Bayan for Credit and the Municipal Library.
        It was in Alimodian also where the first US navy pilot, Ensign William G. Shackleford was safely brought after he forced landed in Barrio Bangkal, Tigbauan, Iloilo due to engine trouble. It was during the air raid of Iloilo City on September 13, 14 and 24, 1944 when he made the forced landing.
        Luckily, he was saved by the guerilleros and civilians and they were able to dismantle the six .50 caliber machine guns and hundreds of ammunitions before the arrival of the Japanese soldiers. The plane was burned by Ensign Shackleford by firing a tracer bullet.
        Ensign Shackleford was brought by Lt. Marcelo Tolentino to their command post in San Inocencio Street. Guerilleros and civilians welcomed and treated him as a hero. That incident boosted the morale of the people as it was a proof that aid was already coming to the Philippines.
        He autographed some emergency notes, handed to him by those who were present. In turn he distributed chewing gums and candies. He was treated with sumptuous food by the Segovia sisters, Luisa, Carolina and Maria, evacuees from the city.
        A contingent of the American forces arrived in Alimodian on March 19, 1945, a day after their landing in Tigbauan, Iloilo. They were met by Capt. Alejandro Nery Cruz and brought to the Command Post of Col. Julian Chavez.
        It was in the mountains of Alimodian where the Japanese soldiers retreated when the American Forces landed on March 18, 1945.

The Death of Major Jose G. Alvior

Major Jose G. Alvior          On March 3, 1944, while he was on the way to accomplish a mission, he met face to face some Japanese soldiers, at Balwa Creek. He killed instantly two of them hitting them at the forehead. Major Alvior was a sharpshooter even before the outbreak of the war and a member of the Iloilo Rifle Association. Unluckily, he was shot by a Japanese sniper who positioned himself at the bank of the creek. Alvior was identified by the Japanese as a ranking Filipino officer and they even saluted their victim before they returned to the garrison located at the old municipal building. The barbarous enemy looted his dead body of all papers, money, jewelry and other valuables. Major Alvior was eulogized by Lt. Col. Leopoldo Relunia, second in command in the Panay Guerilla. In announcing the heroic death of Major Alvior to the units, Lt. Col. Relunia said.

         “Brave Major Alvior, the Almighty claimed your life early. Your heroic and valorous death will however not pass in vain, your memory will forever linger. We will continue waging the fight for the noble cause for which you heroically gave your life. Your brave act will always be a mirror for us to carry on the fight to VICTORY – your death will be avenged.”

         Major Alvior, after having been left by the Japanese on the spot where he was killed, was secretly recovered by guerrillas headed by Lt. Marcelo del Rosario who later met his tragic death in Mandurriao also in the hands of the Japanese, and loyal civilians late in the evening and was buried near the fence inside the municipal cemetery which he also helped construct years before the war. After the war, his remains were transferred to the mausoleum located near the cemetery chapel.

Taban Massacre

Decapitation of both civilians and soldiers are usual punishments of Japanese imperial forces in the isand with which the town of Alimodian has been a witness to in Brgy. Taban.



One of the usual decapitation of civilians in the remote places in the Philippines


If not using the samurais and bayonets, Japanese can use flagellations to torture their captives to extract some information.
         

It was a fine, clear morning. Farmers went to the market with some grains, chickens, eggs and other products. People of both sexes, young and old, crowded the market place. Buying and selling were brisk.

         All of a sudden the Japanese appeared. As usual, the first impulse of the people was to escape, but it was too late for most of the people to get out. They were surrounded. Working on the preconceived plan to get all able-bodied men in the crowd, the Japanese seized them and tied their hands and feet. About 50 men were captured after the rest succeeded in eluding the Japanese. Almost all of those left in the scene were women.
         Lining up the captured 50 men who were securely tied up, bayonets and saber were soon put into action. One by one, the captives were made to stand against the trunk of a coconut tree. One by one, they were subjected to bayonet thrusts and later beheaded with sabers. The massacre is over, the dead heads of the victims were left scattered all around to be taken care of by the dogs, after the murderers had gone away.
        The tragic incident happened in the early morning of August 17, 1943.
        One hero worth mentioning is Major Jose G. Alvior, one time mayor of our town and one of the planners in the organization of the Panay Free Forces together with Col. Macario Peralta, Col. Leopoldo Relunia and Col. Julian Chavez somewhere in the mountains of Lambunao. Major Alvior at the time of his death was Division Quartermaster. He met his tragic death in Sitio Balwa, just a few meters away from the present site of the Aimodian National Comprehensive High School.

Military Officers join the Panay Free Movement

Japanese flag


Col. Macario Peralta
         

When the general surrender of the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) was issued at the end of May 1942, many Filipino soldiers escaped to their homes rather than be Japanese prisoners of war. A few days later, an order was received from Maj. Rafael Almacen to round up these soldiers and convince them to join the Panay Free Forces being organized at the time on the mountains of Lambunao by Col. Macario Peralta, Jr., Lt. Col. Leopoldo Relunia, Maj. Jose Alvior, Lt. Col. Julian Chavez and other responsible officers of the disbanded USAFFE. If the soldiers refused to join the resistance forces, the firearms would be confiscated.


         First Lt. Marcelo Tolentino, who was designated town officer, organized the Alimodian Unit in June 1942. This was a sub-unit of the 1st Iloilo Sector, composed of the southern towns of Iloilo. Maj. Rafael Almacen was designated sector commander by Col. Peralta.

         The primary mission of the Alimodian Unit was to recover firearms and ammunitions and secure food supplies from the people of the mountains. The recovery was made possible with the cooperation of the municipal officials like Mayor Felix Altura and Chief of Police Vicente Sabijon. Ample supply of food stuffs was recovered and distributed to the different guerilla units operating in Alimodian and the nearby towns of Maasin, Cabatuan and San Miguel.

        Another mission of the unit was the maintenance of peace and order and curbing of banditry which was very prevalent in the face of the miserable conditions. Many residents and some evacuees went on a looting spree to get hold of whatever they could, be it food, clothing or money. Most of the victims were Chinese evacuees who chose to remain in the poblacion. To teach the would-be petty thieves a lesson, the Alimodian Unit soldiers set an example by shooting a few looters and burying them a few feet below the ground.

        When the Panay Free Forces was organized to form companies, battalions and regiments, the Alimodian Unit was made the nucleus of the famous “A” Company, 1st Batallion, 63rd Infantry Regiment. Only two platoons of the Alimodian Unit were accommodated in the “A” Company as the rest were allotted to San Miguel Unit under Capt. Paulino Salmon, who became municipal mayor of San Miguel after the war. The Alimodian Unit then was composed of approximately 200 men, mostly USAFFE men with some civilians volunteers . The remaining men were given new assignments.

         The Alimodian officers who joined the “A” Company were Lt. Marcelo del Rosario and Lt. Pablo Alegro. Lt. del Rosario’s heroic death in Mandurriao, Iloilo City on February 10, 1944 was documented in Col. G.L. Manikan’s book “Guerilla Warfare on Panay Island in the Philippines” along with those of Major Jose Alvior, Lt. Cornelio Salarda and Lt. Esperidion Amuan.

         About the same time as the organization of the “A” Company, a local puppet government was established in Alimodian, with Anacleto Amparo at the helm. The resistance forces got along well with puppet government because some of the officials of the puppet government were also connected with the resistance forces. There was little problem in the procurement of food supplies, mainly because of the clandestine cooperation of many unsung heroes like the teachers and government employees assigned in food production and distribution.

         The Alimodian Unit had its baptism of fire when a Japanese plane bombed its Command on San Modesto Street, now Algallar Street. During the air raid, Dr. Juan Sollosa, director of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society in Iloilo City, Pvt. Isaias Peniano and Paulino Almira, a civilian, were killed. The others who were injured were Sgt. Teodorico Angostura and Pvt. Felomino Queder.

         During the early days of the guerilla, Sitio Taban, now a barangay, was the center of the activities of the guerilleros, Japanese spies and civilians. After the Japanese had landed in Iloilo, the Alimodian Public Market was transferred to Sitio Taban. There was a cockpit and people from the neighboring towns, as well as Japanese agents, mingled with one another in this sitio every market day. It was also in Sitio Taban where a short wave radio receiver was available. It was owned by a certain Vic, whose family name cannot be recalled now. He was a Tagalog evacuee to the place, having been caught by the war in Iloilo City. He volunteered to join the army but not the Alimodian Unit. Later, he was commissioned officer, for he was a radio technician. He was, however, discovered to be a Japanese spy having radio contact with the enemy; therefore, he was liquidated by the army.

          The radio was kept in a small cottage where news was intercepted from the Voice of America in San Francisco, USA. Lt. Cornelio Salarda took note of the news by shorthand, mimeographed and distributed to the people because he was the propaganda officer. During that time no news was available except those distributed by the Japanese.

          The guerilleros gained strength and conducted ambushes against the Japanese anywhere whenever there was an opportunity. The Japanese retaliated and committed atrocities not only against the guerilleros but also the civilians. Those atrocities were demonstrated in Sitio Taban where no less than 50 civilians were beheaded and left to be eaten by the dogs. My next blog will be the account of the massacre, as recounted by Lt. Godofredo N. Grageda.