Ambassador ENDO Kazuya inaugurates the Memorial Monument for the Late President Elpidio Quirino, visits Japanese Cemetery and Museo ng Muntinlupa

On 12 December 2024, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya joined the unveiling ceremony of the memorial monument for the late President Elpidio Quirino at the Kiyoshi Ozawa Compound at the New Bilibid Reservation Area in Muntinlupa City.
 
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Hon. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Mayor of the City of Muntinlupa; Atty. Aleli Angela G. Quirino, President of the Quirino Foundation; C/CSupt. Melencio S. Faustino, Director of the Bureau of Corrections Land Control and Management Center (BLCMC); Mr. ASANUMA Takeshi, Chairman of ANG PINOY@HAPON UNITED FOUNDATION, Inc.; and Ms. KANO Kayoko of KANO Art Promotion Japan.
Organized by the ANG PINOY@HAPON UNITED FOUNDATION, Inc., the project honors the late President Quirino’s memory as a reminder of his leadership and humanity. In 1953, President Quirino granted amnesty to Japanese prisoners of war (POWs) in the Philippines, a historic gesture that laid the foundation for the normalization of ties between Japan and the Philippines.
In July 2023, the Embassy commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Presidential Pardon for Japanese POWs at President Quirino’s memorial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Since 2016, a monument of President Quirino also stands at Hibiya Park in Tokyo.
 
In honor of his contributions, Ambassador Endo commended President Elpidio Quirino for his exceptional statesmanship and magnanimous forgiveness.  He also expressed his hope that President Quirino’s legacy will continue and be remembered by future generations.
After the unveiling ceremony, Ambassador Endo paid his respects and offered flowers at the Japanese Cemetery also located in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Reservation Compound in Muntinlupa City.  The Ambassador offered his condolences to the souls of those who lost their lives during World War II and prayed for eternal peace.
 
The day’s activities ended with a tour at the Museo ng Muntinlupa, where Ambassador Endo was guided through an exhibit of the city’s history including its commemorative section on the presidential pardon of former President Elpidio Quirino.  
 
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