WHEREAS, Bataan Day has strengthened the everlasting bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and the United States;

WHEREAS, the commemoration of the Fall of Bataan is a fitting homage to the heroism of Filipino and American forces who fought side by side against overwhelming odds in the epic struggle for democracy and freedom;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ramon Magsaysay, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim Monday, April 9, 1956, as Bataan Day and declare it as a special: public holiday throughout the Philippines. I call upon all public officials and citizens of the Philippines, and invite all American nationals residing in this country to observe the day with a one-minute silence at 4:30 o ™clock in the afternoon of that day, and to hold appropriate rites in honor 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 the City of Manila, this 23rd day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-six, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the tenth.

RAMON MAGSAYSAY
President of the Philippines

By the President:

FORTUNATO DE LEON
Acting Executive Secretary