On August 29, 2024, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines gave a stern response to the Japanese ambassador's false remarks on the South China Sea.
"Has he forgotten Japan's invasion of the Philippines, the destruction of Manila, and the resulting deaths of over 100,000 civilians in the Manila Massacre? Has he forgotten tens of thousands of the innocent souls perished under Japanese soldiers during the Bataan Death March and in the dungeons of Fort Santiago?"
The spokesperson's query reminds people of an era set ablaze and drenched in blood. The smoke of war has long dissipated, but the war crimes committed by the Japanese army should not be forgotten.
In the final stages of World War II, Japan's situation on the Pacific battlefield took a sharp turn for the worse. From February 3 to March 3, 1945, the Allies launched a decisive campaign in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, in an attempt to capture the city that had been occupied by Japan for many years. During the month-long battle, the Japanese army, in their desperation, committed horrific atrocities: They carried out a massacre of civilians throughout the city of Manila, engaging in arson, killing, and looting, bloodily "cleansing" what was once the "Pearl of the Orient."
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, marking the beginning of the Pacific War. For Japan, the Philippines was an indispensable strategic location due to its unique geographical position: it resembled a natural fortress in the Pacific, serving as a crucial point on the route from Southeast Asia to Australia. Controlling the Philippines meant possessing an important gateway to the Pacific, thus could further consolidate Japan's dominance over Southeast Asia.
On December 8, 1941, Japanese forces launched a fierce attack on the Philippines. Despite efforts by American and Filipino joint forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur to defend the country, they were unable to withstand the rapid advance of the Japanese army and were forced to retreat.
By the end of 1944, the balance of victory gradually tilted in favor of the Allies. As the situation on the Pacific battlefield began to shift, Manila once again became a focal point.
On January 9, 1945, the US army successfully landed at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon Island in the Philippines and quickly advanced toward Manila.
At the time, serious divisions had emerged within the Japanese military: One faction advocated abandoning the city, which was destined to fall, while another faction, particularly the Japanese Navy controlling the ports and bases, insisted on holding Manila at all costs.
This internal conflict and hesitation led to confusion in the Japanese military's decision making. Ultimately, 14,300 Japanese army and navy personnel fought tenaciously in Manila, but they were unable to compete with the well-equipped and highly motivated the Allied powers.
In February 1945, the Battle of Manila broke out. Faced with the advancing of the Allied powers, the Japanese troops trapped in the city were in a desperate situation. They became frenzied, believing that the 700,000 Filipino civilians who could not evacuate were all "pro-American" enemies and potential guerrilla fighters. As a result, they began to meticulously plan a massacre, attempting to use terror to suppress the city.
Evidence from captured battlefield records revealed the extent of the horrific violence.
"When Filipinos are to be killed, they must be gathered into one place and disposed of with the consideration that ammunition and manpower must not be used to excess," one order stated. "As the disposal of dead bodies is a troublesome task, they should be gathered into houses which are scheduled to be burned or demolished. They should also be thrown into the river," according to history website historynet.com.
Starting in early 1945, the Japanese military systematically carried out massacres in various locations in Manila, targeting Filipino civilians. These massacres were not random but were implemented in a planned, calculated manner. Between January and February 17, 1945, the Philippine General Hospital was ruthlessly destroyed by shellfire, resulting in the deaths of hundreds or even thousands of patients and civilians seeking refuge within.
A Japanese military order stated, "On the battlefield, except for Japanese soldiers, Japanese civilians, and special construction units, all others will be executed (or destroyed)."
On February 3, 1945, at the Dy-Pac Lumberyard in Tondo, Japanese troops killed around 116 civilians, including women and children, in Manila. In the Old Bilibid Prison and New Bilibid Prison in Ermita and Muntinlupa, hundreds of prisoners were ruthlessly slaughtered without any trial or charges brought against them.
At the beginning of the Battle of Manila, the Japanese military had a plan to send Filipino civilians to St. Paul College, under the guise of "protection." However, during this process, the Filipino people first suffered a round of plunder, with all their valuables confiscated. Ultimately, machine gun bullets rained down on the crowd, soaking the ground with blood, as over 600 innocent lives were mercilessly taken.
The tragedy in Intramuros was even more gruesome. To escape the flames of war, refugees often gathered in the courtyards of wealthy citizens, where concrete houses could shield them from shrapnel, and gardens could serve as firebreaks. However, such courtyards also became convenient targets for the Japanese military, which surrounded these homes, set them ablaze, and shot anyone attempting to escape.
After the war, Manila was unrecognizable, transformed into a hellscape after the Japanese army's massacre. In Manila, which had a population of 700,000 at the time, approximately 100,000 civilians lost their lives in this massacre, and many more survivors struggled to survive amid painful memories and the sorrow of losing loved ones.
However, in the post-war period, the Japanese public often saw themselves as victims of the war, and this self-centered victim mentality hindered a true reflection on their own heinous crimes.
In this context, survivors of the Manila Massacre and those who lost loved ones found it infuriating that the post-war "friendly" interactions between the Philippines and Japan largely ignored their painful experiences. It wasn't until 1995, during the 50th anniversary commemorative events of the Battle of Manila, that this historical memory began to be awakened.
During the commemorative events, the silence from the Japanese side once again highlighted their indifference and avoidance of their war crimes. It wasn't until 2006 that the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines attended the commemoration of the Manila Massacre for the first time and offered a light, symbolic apology.
Driven by economic interests and the diplomatic needs of certain politicians, Philippines-Japan relations began to selectively forget the past, even engaging in defense cooperation with Japan. The neglect of Japan's historical crimes by the Philippine government and society is, in fact, a form of irresponsibility toward history. The Philippines should remember its history and make wise decisions in international relations and national strategy, observers said.
The story was originally published on National Humanity History magazine.