CAPIZ – The provincial government unveiled the historical marker of the “Siege of Panay” on Calle Revolucion in Panay town here on Tuesday morning, January 14.
The marker is part of the Project Mojon of the provincial government and Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office headed by Alphonsus D. Tesoro.
Its unveiling fulfilled the mandate of the national government under Republic Act (RA) 11961, or An act strengthening the conservation and protection of Philippine cultural heritage through cultural mapping and enhanced cultural heritage education program, amending RA 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009), which aims to give importance to a historical treasure of any province or municipality.
Vice Gov. James “Mitang” Magbanua and Atty. Luvim D. Amores, representative of Gov. Fredenil Castro, led the ceremony.
Also present were Panay’s Mayor Vicente Bermejo and Sangguniang Bayan members, Provincial Board members, and former Panay mayor Dante Bermejo, among others.
The “Siege of Panay” was the bloodiest battle in the Visayas. Panay town in Capiz was the center of the revolution against the Spanish Colonial forces that broke out in 1897 and ended at Balisong Hills in Pilar town.
Around 4,000 poorly armed Capiznons defended the newly liberated town of Panay against a thousand Spanish Colonial forces led by Gov. General Diego delos Rios.
Delos Rios ordered the burning of Panay except the Panay Church in order set an example to those who opposed Spanish colonial authority./PN
