Published on: March 05, 2023
By Marcelo Pedalino
MACROHON, Southern Leyte (PIA) --The local government unit here on Monday, February 27, celebrated the 65th death anniversary of a native Macrohonanon who rose as a guerilla leader during World War II, and aided the return of American liberation forces by providing crucial intelligence data.
A short program was held at the municipal grounds right after the regular Monday flag-rasing ceremony to honor the exploits of Gen. Ruperto Kadava Kangleon who was born in Brgy. San Roque, Macrohon’s last barangay leading to the town of Padre Burgos.
The commemorative rites were led by Municipal Mayor Alan Aroy, along with other municipal officials, heads of offices, and employees, and personnel from the BJMP, PNP, and BFP were also attending.
On February 27, 1994, the skeletal remains of Kangleon were transferred from Manila South Cemetery to its present location in front of the municipal grounds in ceremonies fit for an illustrious Southern Leyteño.
Subsequently, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had passed a resolution declaring February 27 of every year as a Kangleon Memorial Day to be celebrated in recognition and remembrance for Kangleon as a WWII hero.
It was Gen. Douglas MacArthur who pinned the United States Distinguished Service Cross Medal to Kangleon days after the October 20, 1944 Leyte landing at the steps of Leyte provincial capitol.
Kangleon became the sixth Secretary of National Defense in the Cabinet of President Manuel Roxas after the war, and then went on to become a Senator of the country during the time of President Ramon Magsaysay. (MMP/PIA Southern Leyte with reports from Dahlia Orit/Radyo Pilipinas-Sogod)
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