Cemeteries at Camp John Hay totally neglegted and desecrated

March 24, 2018 Opinion Tinig ng Bayan

Ever since the departure of the US Troops in 1992, the graves of dead soldiers, some coming all the way from World War 1 and World War 2 and Philippine Scouts who served under General Douglas MacArthur and even soldiers who died during the Vietnam War era, buried at the Camp John Hay Cemeteries 1 and 2 have been totally neglected by our City Officials.
Aren’t these said cemeteries also part of this beautiful city? If so, why then is the city sleeping and does not do something about it. Won’t this place be also a nice tourist attraction once it gets rehabilitated?
The crosses of the graves were vandalized and totally desecrated and the fences were torn down and stolen by unknown thieves. It’s very sad to see such a place go to the dogs! Do we have to take our City Officials by the hand and have them see how neglected the place is?  Go see for yourselves and find out what we’re talking about, especially Cemetery No.1. Who is responsible for its upkeep? It’s nice to see that Cemetery No. 2 is partially maintained by concerned retired members of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 124 of Baguio City, with their meager funds.  What are the other Veterans doing about it?  Nothing. Members of the American Legion?  Again, nothing.
Yet on April 9, the City will once again celebrate “Araw ng Kagitingan”!  Ah, it’s nice to celebrate and honor our war heroes once again, but isn’t it a shame that those who also gave their lives for country and freedom, that are buried at the Camp John Hay Cemeteries are totally forgotten. Can’t the city do something about it? HUGO PRILL and ANGEL VILLARALVO (Retired US Navy Veterans from Baguio City) / March 21, 2018