Location: Del Pilar, Ilocos Sur
Category: Sites/Events
Type: Site
Status: Level II – Historical marker
Marker Date: 1959
Installed by: Philippines Historical Committee (PHC)
Marker text:
THE BATTLE AND LIBERATION OF CERVANTES
THE MOUNTAIN RANGES SURROUNDING CERVANTES, ILOCOS SUR WERE HIDEOUTS OF THE EARLY GUERRILLA LEADERS OF NORTH LUZON UNDER ENEMY CONTROL THIS TOWN BECAME IMPORTANT TO THE JAPANESE ROUTES OF COMMUNICATION IN NORTH LUZON. IN LATE FEBRUARY AND IN MARCH 1945, CONTROL OF CERVANTES CHANGED HANDS THREE TIMES BETWEEN THE ASSAULTING ELEMENTS OF THE 121ST BATTLE INFANTRY AND THE PROVISIONAL BATTALION, USAPIF,NL, AND THE JAPANESE FORCES WHEN FINALLY LIBERATED 15 JUNE 1945 FOLLOWING THE CAPTURE OF BESANG PASS, CERVANTES WAS CONVERTED INTO AN ARMY SUPPLY POINT AND PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE FINAL CAMPAIGN OF THE SAFIP,NL, TO DESTROY THE JAPANESE IMPERIAL FORCES IN THE NORTH BENGUET- IFUGAO
