CERVANTES, Ilocos Sur – The last living World War II veteran of this town who fought in the Battle of Bessang Pass, Marcos Mangac Timidan died last May 8 of natural causes in their home in Sitio Kayan in Barangay Pilpil here.
He was 98.
He was finally laid to rest Friday, May 14, beside the tomb of his wife in Brgy Pilipil Proper.
Timidan was part of United States Armed Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon (USAFIP – NL) forces which helped in driving out the Tiger of Malaya, Gen. Tomuyuki Yamashita from his stronghold here and his eventual surrender in September 2, 1945 in Kiangan, Ifugao. With the signing of his surrender in Baguio on September 3, the Pacific theater of World War II ended.
His death came a month before the local government here commemorates the 76th anniversary of the famous battle that lasted five months.
In his statement, Ilocos Sur Board member Ben Maggay, a native of this town, said the whole community was saddened with the passing of Timidan who serves as their pride and inspiration for true braveness and love of the country.
