Hundreds take part in Freedom March

Capas, Tarlac – Hundreds of participants took part in the Freedom March 2026, which ran from 27 February to 1 March 2026.

Organized by the Philippine Veterans Bank, the Freedom March 2026 was held from Mariveles, Bataan, to the Capas Shrine in Tarlac, in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), the Department of National Defense (DND), and the local governments of Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

Philippine Veterans Bank First Vice President Miguel Angelo "Mike" Villa-Real said that the Freedom March honors the heroism of Filipino and American soldiers who defended the islands during World War II.

He added that there is a need to preserve the history of the country and ensure that their memories would not be forgotten by future generations.

"It’s our turn to walk a path inspired by their sacrifice, ensuring their legacy of bravery and resilience echoes through generations," Villa-Real said.

This year’s “Freedom March” has 10 stops to allow participants to retrace the original route, as well as set their own walking pace.

From Kilometer 0 in Mariveles, participants paused at Km 10 along the Roman Highway; Km 20 near the Mariveles welcome arch; Km 30 beside Putting Buhangin Elementary School; and Km 44 at the Balanga Capitol Building.

From there, the march stopped by Km 50 at the Abucay Municipal Hall; Km 60 beside the Sarmineto-Cruz residence; Km 68 at the First Line of Defense in Dinalupihan; Km 80 along the National Highway in Lubao, Pampanga; Km 90 in Guagua; and finally at Km 102 at the San Fernando Capitol Building, before proceeding to the Capas National Shrine.

The Freedom March is a commemorative event in the Philippines retracing the route of the Bataan Death March.

The Bataan Death March is described as the forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of around 72,000 to 78,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war (POWs) from the Bataan Peninsula after the three-month Battle of Bataan during World War II.

The forced march began on April 9, 1942, and took the POWs through a 105-kilometer route to the concentration camp at Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac, taking its toll on men already weakened by months of hunger and disease.

Various reports stated that the casualties of the forced march, which was characterized by physical abuse and wanton killings, ranged from 5,000 to 18,000 deaths.