A monument honoring the late President Elpidio Quirino was unveiled on December 12 at the Kiyoshi Ozawa Compound in the New Bilibid Prison Reservation Area. The monument commemorates Quirino’s 1953 decision to grant amnesty to Japanese prisoners of war (POWs) in the Philippines, which contributed to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan after World War II.
The ceremony was attended by Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, and Elpidio Quirino Foundation President Atty. Aleli Angela G. Quirino. Other participants included Bureau of Corrections Land Control and Management Center (BLCMC) Director C/Csupt. Melencio S. Faustino, Ang Pinoy Hapon United Foundation, Inc. Chairperson Asanuma Takeshi, and Kano Art Promotion Japan representative Ms. Kano Kayoko.
The location of the monument, within the New Bilibid Prison Reservation Area, holds historical significance as the site where many Japanese POWs were detained during and after World War II. The amnesty granted by Quirino in 1953 involved pardoning more than 100 Japanese POWs convicted of war crimes. This act was viewed as a step toward reconciliation and helped rebuild relations between the two nations, laying the groundwork for economic and cultural cooperation in the following decades.
The project was supported by various organizations, including the Ang Pinoy Hapon United Foundation and Kano Art Promotion Japan. The monument aims to recognize President Quirino’s role in post-war diplomacy and to serve as a reminder of the importance of fostering reconciliation and international cooperation.
President Elpidio Quirino served as the sixth president of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953. His administration focused on national rehabilitation and development following the war. The monument is part of efforts to preserve the legacy of his leadership and its impact on Philippine history.