Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos successful inaugurated the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Marker at the Macabalan Wharf in Cagayan de Oro City today, March 13, 2008.
He was joint by Officials from United States Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) lead by Lt. Col. Frederick Riker, Deputy Chief, JUSMAG & U.S. Defense Representative to the Philippines; Former US Ambassador John F. Maisto representing Ambassador Henry B. Howard, president of the US Water LLC and one of the major donors of the MacArthur Marker, and Dr. Juan M. Montero, II of the Norfolk Sister City Association in Norfolk , Virginia.
The historic event which coincides with the 66th Anniversary of Gen. MacArthur’s landing at the old Macabalan Wharf en route to his escape to Australia via the Del Monte airfield in Diklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on March 17, 1942.
According to history, Gen. MacArthur landed at the Macabalan Wharf aboard PT 41 Boat under the command of Lt. John Duncan Bulkeley. Extremely pleased with Bulkeley’s effort to steer their boat clear from the sight of their Japanese enemies, Gen. MacArthur reportedly declared, “Bulkeley, I’m giving every officer and man here the Silver Star for Gallantry. You’ve taken me out of the jaws of death and I wont forget it.” A Cagayanon, then Capt. Fidencio Laplap, now 87 years old and still alive, is one of those who were later awarded the Silver Star for gallantry promised by Gen. MacArthur. After landing at the Macabalan Wharf, MacArthur, together with his family and military entourage then proceeded to Del Monte Clubhouse for his departure to Australia on a B-17 Flying Fortress where he made the famous declaration, “Upon orders of the President of the United States, I came through the Japanese blockade, and I shall return.”
The MacArthur Marker in Macabalan boasts of a replica of MacArthur’s PT 41 Boat donated by the Kagay-anon International, and the marker it self which could probably land in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the biggest hat in the world.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jaraula takes pride in the realization of the MacArthur Marker project as an evidence of a strong partnership between the city government and the private sector in an effort to promote Cagayan de Oro to the global community.
