Zambales unveils Bloodless Landing Monument on 81st anniversary

The Provincial Government on Thursday unveiled the Bloodless Landing Monument in Barangay La Paz, San Narciso, to mark the 81st anniversary of the historic World War II event.

The unveiling, blessing and turnover ceremony was held on 29 January 2026 to honor the role of Zambales in the country’s liberation during the war.

Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. said the monument recognizes the crucial contribution of local guerrillas who secured the area ahead of the arrival of American forces.

He said the Bloodless Landing Monument symbolizes the spirit of peace, courage and unity of the La Paz guerrillas who liberated the area from Japanese forces and secured the beachhead prior to the Americans’ arrival.

San Narciso Mayor La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, Naval Education Training and Command commander Rear Adm. Karl A. Decapia, and members of the Sangguniang Barangay of La Paz were present during the ceremony.

Also in attendance were Board Member Rundy Ebdane, Board Member Eric Matibag, Botolan Mayor Omar Ebdane, Candelaria Mayor Byron Jones Edquilang, Vice Mayor Lance Ritual, provincial department heads, personnel from the San Narciso Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection–San Narciso, Philippine Coast Guard–San Narciso, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, municipal officials, schools district representatives, barangay councils of La Paz and residents.

Veterans’ groups, including the Veterans Federation of the Philippines 2nd District Zambales, VFP-Sons and Daughters Association Inc., VFP-Zambales Retired Army Association Inc., and the Philippine Navy Coast Guard Retirees Association, also graced the event.

Officials said the program was made possible through the joint efforts of the Provincial Government, the local government of San Narciso and Barangay La Paz.

The Bloodless Landing refers to the World War II event on January 29, 1945, when around 30,000 American liberation forces landed on the shores of San Narciso without a single shot being fired.

The peaceful landing was made possible after the La Paz guerrillas, local Filipino resistance fighters, had already driven out Japanese forces and secured the area.

The event marked a pivotal moment in the liberation of Luzon, enabling Allied forces to advance toward Subic Bay and eventually Manila with minimal initial resistance. It stands in contrast to other major landings during the war, including the invasion of Lingayen Gulf.