Brgy.

Ikirin, Pagbilao, Quezon

14 April 2023

SANGUNIANG BAYAN NG PAGBILAO

Pagbilao, Quezon
Subject : SB Regular Session 11 April 2023

Dear Honorable Councilors,

This refers to the SB Regular Session on 11 April 2023 shown on facebook live. Please scan QR
codes provided within this letter to view relevant online pages refered to.

In this video, during the Question Hour, at timeline 23:23, Honorable Councilor
Michael E. Martinez, stated “Regarding po ito doon sa signage na sinabi kanina
ni Honorable Ayaton. Hindi na po natin siguro kailangan. Dahil ito po ay mayroon
na. Ito po ay nakalagay na po ito doon. Ito po ay naka… Ang gumawa po nito ay
si Kagawad Jimmy Ruz. Ito ay nakasaad po sa kanyang marker ay “Palsabangon
Line-of-Defense. December 25, 1941. The Japanese Imperial Army, primarily the 16th
Division under Lt.Gen. Susumu Moriaka[sic], landed as the Lamon Bay Force in Mauban…” ito po mahaba
masyado. Mayroon na po. Para po hindi po magdobol yung ano, yun pong gagawin po natin.
Mayroon na pong nailagay si Kagawad Jimmy Ruz ng Ibabang Palsabangon po.” (underscoring
supplied)

Because the above “clarification” could be now in the official records, the Sangguniang Bayan is
respectfully informed that the above quoted statement is inaccurate because the said marker
monument was in fact erected in 2010 by Philippine Army reservists, from the Concept and
Research by CPT GERARDO B LONTOK (RES)PA under his leadership as the then Company
Commander of the HQ & HQ Services Company, 1st (Quezon) Ready Reserve Battalion.

It was funded with personal contributions, solicitations and manpower from and
by Army Reservists, while the granite was donated by the Pagbilao Veterans
Federation of the Philippines. It was inaugurated on April 09, 2010 attended also
by Veterans, PNP, Army Special Forces and Barangay officials and residents.

Unfortunately, the said marker was demolished during the highway widening but with the initiative
of Army Reservist residents of the barangay, the granite slabs were recovered and put in storage.
Nevertheless, Kagawad Jimmy Ruz (likewise an Army Reservist) also deserves due credit for
following-up with the road contractor the relocation of the said marker. The DPWH anyway is
expected to implement the relocation as per reply to my inquiry in 2015:

If the honorable members of the SB may find time to watch, this was exactly the topic in the webinar
on 10 April 2023 wherein Honorable Mayor Angelica “Ate Gigi” Portes was one of the panelists
while the undersigned was the Guest Lecturer. It was livestreamed by the Tuklas Tayabas
Historical Society and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines while also shared by
the Municipality of Pagbilao facebook page.

NHCP Tuklas Tayabas

May this humble letter, as a matter of record, further clarify the good councilor’s clarification.
Appropriate correction in the aforementioned public record is earnestly requested. Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

GERARDO B. LONTOK

cc: Office of the Municipal Mayor, Pagbilao, Quezon

HQ&HQSvcCoy, 1701st RRIBde, Camp Nakar, Lucena City

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