THE SECOND REPUBLIC

HISTORY

1. CHAPTER 12 The Second Republic

2. Japanese Occupation: In the history of all nations, a m oment comes when the p eople rise and establish their n ation state independence in w hich they find justice and s ecurity. With the attack in Pearl Harbor in December 7, 1941,Japan was able to n eutralize the American forces i n the pacific. The World War II w ere those nations who either p articipated directly in or were a ffected by any of the events o f the World War II.

3. In the Philippine, after century of domination the moment o National liberation is of every Filipino. The Japanese occupation in the Philippines is integrated in the World War II history when Germany aggressively Attack European countries as part of their domination. Japan is member of the Axis power. So the Japanese responded to the call of World War II.

4. First his attack Pearl Harbor of Hawaii, an American naval base. The young men of the country march in the defense of fatherland during the Japanese occupation. This harsh struggle is nationalism. The global situation of world war is the fear of many Filipino leaders that the Philippines will be implicated to war. General Douglas McArthur was commissioned to prepare the national security measure of the Commonwealth Government, in as much as National Security the problem is concern.

5. The German invasion with other European countries resulted to World War. The World War II is a result of increasing militarism, imperialism, nationalism and rival alliances of different countries all over the world .

6. Tora – Tora Air Strike: The Japanese Kamikaze engaged an air to fight with the American fighters. When the American planes were shot down by the Japanese planes, the American parachuted to the sea. The American pilot was rescued by the sea plane in deep waters. President Manuel L. Quezon declared “open city” in order to preserve industry and business in Manila but the Japanese military strategy started with the Japanese pilot strike bombing the different cities destructing human and properties.

7. Pearl Harbor Air Strike

8. President Manuel L. Quezon deliver his soul-stirring address in the University of the Philippines several days before Peal Harbor was bombed. Quezon talked about how he had spent sleepless night brooding over the question of national survival, about how bombs might be dropped into the heart of the city and in unforgettable language exhorted the student and the scholars to be ready to die for the shake of freedom. Japan belongs to the axis power and Japan respond to World War by bombing the Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Ironically after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, is the bombing of the Philippines.

9. The Japanese invasion to the Philippines was a well planned. It should be noted that the Pearl Harbor bombings was well studied from the reports of Japanese spy for several years. The time of bombings in Peal Harbor in Hawaii and Philippines is well taken by the Japanese considering that the Americans were unprepared for Japanese invasion. The Japanese offensive aims to weaken and destruct the American military and naval bases.

10. The first offensive attack on December 8, 1941 was primarily air strike utilizing the Japanese Air force. Northern Luzon specially Tugegarao , Tarlac , Baguio ,and Iba, Zambales was the first point of Japanese bombings. The Japanese imperial army forces begin their successful landing in Northern Luzon in the provinces of Aparri and Vigan on December 10, 1941. Thereafter, more Japanese forces landed in the province of Legaspi in Southern Luzon. General Masaharu Homa successfully landed in Lingayen Pangasinan and other forces in the Atinoma Quezon on December 24, 194.

11. Quezon declared open city policy in order to preserved structures in Manila. The Filipino and the Americans gallantly fought the Japanese invaders. The Japanese forces did not respect the open city policy and as a result, building was structed by war. Manila particularly Intramuros, UST church, old senate buildings was devastated by bombings. On January 2, 1942 the Japanese entered occupied manila.

12. The Japanese army that landed in La Union Province defeated 7000 men from January 6- March on the accounts 2700 men were killed in the battle, while 10-12,000 men were down by Malaria, dysentery, beri beri or scurvy. General Homma after several conferences in San Fernando Pampanga resided to discontinue its offensive upond the advise of Lt. G eneral Masami Maela on February 8. That night he issued order for a withdrawal of Japanese forces in Bataan asked for reinforcement.

13. The Commonwealth Government Under Fire

14. At the Height of the war Manuel L. Quezon convene his cabinet to prepare for plan of the Commonwealth Government. Jose P. Laurel was instructed to remain in Manila by President Quezon. While Manuel L. Quezon was in Corregidor, the Commonwealth Government was established by taking oath of the Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor. To again thrust and confidence of the Filipino the Japanese instructed Jose P. Laurel to form a provisional Government of the Puppet government. The Japanese adviser on top of Government structures interfere in the government. According Zaide several restriction were implemented by the Japanese Imperial Government, among the Japanese restriction were:

15. Military rule prevailed and curfew was enforced Sabotage of electricity Firearms and ammunitions were confiscated by the military. Nationalist songs and American songs were prohibited. Hostile act against the Japanese is punishable by death.

16. Any Filipino who was caught disobeying the Japanese policy will be given punishment. Filipino was compelled to respect the Japanese by bowing their heads when they met Japanese. For the theft and not giving respect to the Japanese, the violator whole day. The cruelty of the Japanese army to the Filipino resulted to the “culture of fear” of the Filipino to Japanese army. The Japanese army was outnumbered of the Filipino but it is only the Guerilla who has the courage to fight for liberation. According to Ricardo Javier of Sto. Tomas Batangas if there are twelve (12) Filipino and only one Japanese the Filipino could not -

17. even fight the Japanese because the Filipino afraid o die. According to Maria Tesoro Gueverra, they are force to walk from Cabuyao Laguna to Sto. Tomas Batangas because they are afraid to be caught by the Japanese and it was only during liberation time that they realize that it was very far. The cruelty of the Japanese imperial army to the Filipino seems to be everywhere. The Japanese killed child through their bayonet. During starvation in Talisay Lipa City, they invited the people in the cave and promise them that rice will be distributed inside the cave.

18. War in the Pacific On July 26, 1941, few months b efore the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Philippines reserve a nd forces were commissioned into t he United States Army under the c ommand of General Douglas Mac Arthur. They were able to form a c ombination forces of American a nd Filipino. In the early days of January 1942 the battle of Bataan began, day and night, week after week, the battle become complicated.

19. When the War broke out in December of 1941, the nations youth-student and scholar’s campus writers and artist scientist and technicians-valiantly took arms and offered their lives in defense of what they considered to be at stake in the harsh struggle and defense of the country. The final defense line of Bataan was established on January 26, 1941 two days after the abandonment of Abucay - Morong line Corregidor was designed for war as tactical defense of the Filipino soldiers against intruders.

20. The island is almost complete with facilities for the United States Armed Forces to the Far East (USAFFE). A Malinta tunnel was constructed with a facility of office, hospital and secret passage. The island has also bough of supply 10,000 soldiers.

21. Major General Edward King Jr. Luzon forces commander felt it was useless to sacrifice the lives if they continue defending Bataan. At midnight of April 8, 1941, King had announced to his staff surrender Bataan. The deferred of province of Bataan experienced shortage in food and medicines. The battle for Bataan has ended on April 9, 1941. The “death march” has just began Bataan has fallen but the spirit of freedom loving Filipino will not fail. Out of 76,000 soldiers who had surrendered on April 9 only about 54,ooo survived the 90-mile ordeal from Bataan to Tarlac more than a week later.

22. The Economy and Repercussion of War

23. As a result of the war, Philippines economy suffered economic starvation. The economy was stagnant owing to restless war experienced by the Filipino. A nation at war is the nightmare of all the people. People will suffer losses of property and will stop from working.

24. The Japanese money or “Mickey Mouse” money circulated during the Japanese regime. Inflation is cause by the money that is more than goods and services. The peso devaluation is one of the economic problems at that time. In Laguna one needed a sack of rice. (Abaya, Antonio, Causalities of War Manila Standard, Feb. 27, 2007).

25. Agricultural production, business establishment, roads, bridges, buildings and industry were destructed by war. In effect food shortage was experienced throughout the country . The only business that is profitable is portfolio business or buy and sells. The Filipino farmers were complied with plant cotton instead of food. Food shortage is evident during the Japanese regime. The Filipino survived and learned to developed initiative and alternative food. The shortage of rice resulted to mixing corn and rice as staple food. The kamote and kangkong were important food as substitute. According to Abaya in his article Casualties of war in Manila Standard dated February 27, 2007 in Pagsanjan Laguna at least when there was no rice at least there always binatog or corn kernels steamed just like rice.

26. The Government headed by resident Laurel exerted to resolve the economic and social problem of the country cause by war. The priority program is to arrest food security problem, security and basic needs of the people. The Government spent much of their time in increasing food for the country. The Government recognized the rice control. President Laurel encourage the people to live outside Manila which is destructed by war.

27. The Second Republic: On September 20 1943, the KALIBAPI under the leadership of its director general, Benigno Aquino Sr. held a party convention to elect 54 members of the National Assembly. The Assembley was actually made up of 108 members, but half of this number was composed of incumbent governors and city mayor. Jose P. Laurel was elected as president of the second republic (the first republic was Aguinaldo’s Malolos Republic) and both Benigno Aquino Sr. and Ramon Avancena as a vice-presidents.

28. The second republic was inaugurated on October 14, 1943 on the front steps of the legislative building in Manila. The Philippine flag was hoisted as the national anthem was played. Meanwhile, the Japanese started using propaganda to gain the trust and confidence of Filipinos who refused to cooperate with them. They hung gaint posters and distribute their materials that contains such slogans as “the Philippines belong to the Filipinos” they also used newspaper, movies, and others to publicize the same idea. Promoting Japanese propaganda was one of the main objectives of the KALIBAP, but still Japanese failed to gain the trust of the Filipinos.

29. JOSE P. LAUREL First President of the Second Republic From 1943-1975 Dr. Laurel was born in Tanauan Batangas on March 9, 1891. His parents were Soteaurel and Jacoba Garcia. Sotero Laurel Was appointed as undersecretary Of the interior in President Aguinaldo’s Revolutionary Government and the Signer of Malolos Contitution .

30. Dr. Laurel finished his 7 elementary education in Tananuan Batangas and high school in Manila. He finished in low College of Law of the University of the Philippines. He finished law in 1915 as salutatorian of his class. He is one of the topnotch. When he took a bar exam he obtained his degree of Masters of Law in 1918 from the Escuela de Detecho and in the same year as a government pensioned to Yale University, where he acquired the degree of doctor of civil law in 1920. For more knowledge he took up humanities in the University of Santo Tomas, where he obtained in 1936 the degree of Doctor Philosophy. After 2 years, Tokyo Imperial University conferred on him the degree of Doctors Laws.

31. Dr. Laurel’s career in government service started as part time laborer in the Bureau of Forestry and was then promoted to clerk in the Code Committee. 1918 he became the head of the legal division of the executive Bureau. In 1922 he was appointed Chief of the executive Bureau under the secretary of the Interior Teodoro M. Kalaw and was promoted undersecretary of the Interior and ten months later, a full secretary at the age of 32.

32. During the election of 1925 he won the senatorial seat for the 5 th senatorial district. Because of his parliamentary ability he was made the majority floor leader in Senate until 1931, when he lost his re-election bid to another Batangueno, Claro M. Recto who became his good friend and compare until his death. When he retired from politics he devoted his time to law practice teaching and writing. He taught in various schools in Manila many of whom became prominent in juries prudence and politics. He also gave lectures in the University of Santo. Tomas, Manila University, Far Eastern University.

33. He was elected as delegate to Constitutional convention in 1934 were he took a leading role in the making of the constitution of the Philippines. President Quezon appointed Laurel as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on November 15, 1935. When the World War II come the Philippines on December 8, 1941, Quezon told Laurel to stay take care of the people and to be with his people during the Agonies of the Japanese but he has to do it as President Quezon ordered him.

34. He was elected by the National Assembly as President of the Republic on September 25, 1943. This unicameral assembly was created though the sponsorship of the Japanese authorities. During the Japanese, he was compelled to accept this position for the sick of his people who were then suffering beneath the yoke of a brutal rule of the conquerors. He was inducted into office during inauguration of the second republic on October 14, 1943. He save many people from being arrested tortured and executing by without Dr. Laurel intercession, General Roxas would have been executed like Justice Abad Santos.

35. Prelude to liberation President Laurel pressured by the Japanese Government to declare War against the United States and Great Britain but he bravely refuse to do so. But the first American air raid on Manila in the morning of September 21 1944 intensified the demand for a Philippines declaration of War. After consulting Roxas and both Cabinet and Council of state he issued or proclamation declaring the state of War against the U.S and Great Britain. But even if he were to killed by the Japanese would never sacrifice the able bodied Filipinos for Japan.

36. August 18 1945, Lt. Col. Turner and his party arrested Laurel ex-speaker Benigno Aquino, Claro M. Recto, Camilo and Vargas at Yokoham Prison house and then transferred to Sugamo Prison afterwards. He is not allowed to bring any documents and writing materials but is allowed to keep a war memories on its blank space and even across the printed lines. As an educator and statesmen he believed with Dr. Rizal that education plays an important role in nation building. He founded the Lyceum of the Philippines patterned after Aristotle's Lyceum established by plato’s renowned pupil in athens .

37. As a Nationalist he ranked with Rizal, Mabini, Quezon, Osmena, Rafael, Palma and Recto. In one of his stirring address he declared “Love of Country means as inflicting determination to serve and defend ones country at all cost. It is a flame that should keep constantly a glow in our hearts”. And with all favor and sincerity he said, No one can love Philippines better than the Filipino themselves. Dr. Laurel died of cerebral hemorrhage at the Lourdes Hospital, Manila on November 6, 1959 at the age of 68.