WHEREAS, the ninth day of April, nineteen hundred and fifty-two, marks the tenth anniversary of the Fall of Bataan;

WHEREAS, the Fall of Bataan has served to seal in blood the permanent ties of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and the United States; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration of the Fail of Bataan is a fitting homage to the heroism of Filipino and American forces who fought side by side for freedom and is a reminder to Filipinos and Americans alike of their common democratic heritage;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, do hereby declare and proclaim Wednesday, April the ninth, nineteen hundred and fifty-two, as Bataan Day. I call upon all provincial governors, city mayors, all other public officials and citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, as well as all American nationals residing in the Philippines, to observe Bataan Day with the most appropriate ceremonies and programs expressive of the bonds of friendship that bind the Philippines and the United States and as a solemn recognition of the sacrifices of the heroic defenders of Bataan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in San Fernando, La Union, for the City of Manila, this 24th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Executive Secretary