OBLIQUE OBSERVATIONS

By Atty. Gilberto Lauengco, J.D.

ATTY. GILBERTO LAUENGCO, J.D. is a lawyer, educator, political strategist, government consultant, Lego enthusiast, and the director of CAER Think Tank. He is a Former Vice Chairman of MECO, Special Assistant of NFA and City Administrator among others. His broad experience has molded his unique approach to issues analysis which he calls the oblique observation.

In September of 1950, 7,420 brave Filipino soldiers and personnel of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) were deployed to the said Korean Peninsula to fight alongside other troops of the United Nations.

During their stint in what is known as “the forgotten war” to many, the Filipinos had to go through unfamiliar terrain and a harsh winter to fight a war in a land far from home. Despite the hard conditions, the small Philippine contingent fought bravely and with distinction, earning the moniker “The Fighting Filipinos”.

Three weeks ago, wreath-laying rites were conducted at the Philippine -Korea Friendship Center in Taguig to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the aforesaid PEFTOK deployment. During the said ceremony, the speakers praised the PEFTOK veterans for their resilience and bravery. The PEFTOK fought in the Battles of Miudong, Yultong, and Hill Eerie. In each of these battles, the Filipinos fought off larger enemy forces and were never fully defeated.

In the Battle of Yuldong or Yuldong-ri, 900 Filipino soldiers of the 10th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) held off 15,000 enemy soldiers. The battle was so intense that even the drivers, cooks, clerks and medics of the 10th BCT took part in the fierce fighting. General Douglas MacArthur was so impressed by the Filipinos in this battle that he is said to have given his famous quote here “give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.” After this battle, Filipino Capt. Conrado Yap was posthumously awarded the Philippine Medal of Valor and the US Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions during the battle. During the 75th anniversary rites, Capt. Yap’s heroism was cited as a shining example of Filipino will and spirit in conflict.

When I visited Korea, I made sure to visit one of the markers/monuments dedicated to our PEFTOK. I was also able to see the PEFTOK section at the Korean War Memorial Museum in Seoul. In that museum, I met a Korean veteran manning the exhibit who spoke glowingly of our PEFTOK boys. I could not help but give a silent salute in honor of these heroes. Whenever foreigners question the bravery of our countrymen, I always point to this oft-forgotten war in our history to show that our fighting men can rise to the occasion when called.

As winds of possible conflict gather closer to home, I often wonder nowadays if the Filipinos today can answer the call if needed.