BUTUAN CITY – Three days before the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Surigao City government officially opened an exhibit featuring World War II memorabilia on Tuesday afternoon.
The opening ceremony, led by Vice Mayor Alfonso Casurra and City Tourism Officer Roselyn Merlin, was attended by families of Australian veterans who arrived in Surigao City to participate in the upcoming commemoration.
The Battle of Surigao Strait, fought at dawn on October 25, 1944, is considered the “last big gun battle” and one of the “greatest triumphs of the US Navy” during World War II.
Dignitaries from Japan, the United States, Australia, and the Philippines are expected to arrive in Surigao City on Friday to take part in the commemoration.
“On display are artifacts from World War II veterans who participated in the historic naval battle,” the Surigao City Public Information Office (PIO) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Among the items on display is a preserved Japanese flag, stained with blood and bearing fingerprints, contributed by the family of local World War II veteran Jose Patubo Pendon. Other significant memorabilia were donated by the families of Australian veterans Rob Nicolls and David Mattiske.
Mattiske served aboard the HMAS Shropshire, an Australian gun cruiser that fought alongside US naval forces during the battle.
He, along with retired Royal Admiral Guy Richmond Griffiths, a fellow Battle of Surigao Strait veteran, was interviewed by the Philippine News Agency during their visit to Surigao City for the 75th anniversary of the battle in 2019.
Griffiths, who was the Assistant Control Officer on HMAS Shropshire during the battle, is also featured in the exhibit.
The city government emphasized the exhibit’s importance in fostering historical awareness and educational value, especially among the younger generation in Surigao City and neighboring towns in Surigao del Norte.
“The exhibit serves as a venue for younger generations to understand the significance of the Battle of Surigao Strait, offering a tangible connection to history and a rich educational experience beyond textbooks,” the PIO added. (PNA)