Residents in the Dinagat Islands town of Loreto gathered on Tuesday to commemorate the sacrifices of individuals who defended the town from the Japanese invasion during the World War II.

Dubbed as the “Battle of San Juan,” the residents of Loreto, including the surviving veterans, recalled the gallantry of four locals who courageously led the defense forces to thwart the advance of the Japanese invaders on Oct. 31, 1942.

The four local heroes were identified as Private First Class Florentino B. Omana, Private Perfecto Villanueva, Private Eleuterio Omapas, and Sgt. Primo De Jesus.

“The heroic acts of four brave guerrillas during the Battle of San Juan on October 31, 1942, are still remembered to this day. These courageous individuals exemplify the highest degree of patriotism, bravery, heroism, and the love of country,” the Loreto local government announced in a statement Tuesday.

The commemoration, led by the town’s tourism office, featured a wreath-laying at the marker of the site where the defenders stood ground against the invaders.

“The annual celebration aims to ensure that the significance of this historical event is not forgotten by future generations,” the local government said. (PNA)