Post by EXO on Mar 19, 2012 12:37:13 GMT 8
AFP welcomes plan to make Fort Bonifacio (Fort McKinley) tunnel a heritage site
By Alexis Romero published in The Philippine Star, March 19, 2012
MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday welcomed the plan of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to develop the Fort Bonifacio Tunnel into a heritage site that would honor the unsung heroes who fought for independence.
“The soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are honored and truly grateful for this undertaking by the BCDA. The dedication of this heritage site is a valuable recognition for our soldiers,” AFP chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa said in a statement.
“We hope for the success of this endeavor so that it may benefit both our country’s economic growth and the people’s sense of historical appreciation,” he added.
The Fort Bonifacio tunnel is an underground passageway in the eastern portion of Bonifacio Global City. It used to be the main attraction of the old Philippine Army Museum and Library, which was relocated due to the developments made by BCDA in the area.
BCDA has bared plans to develop and rehabilitate the war tunnel into a heritage site, saying this would allow the public to appreciate the history of Fort Bonifacio, now known as the Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said BCDA’s plan is very timely since the Army will celebrate its 115th anniversary on March 22.
“The war tunnel plays an important part in the Army’s rich history as it traces its roots to the Filipino revolutionaries who resisted allegiance to foreign rule,” he said.
Military historian Restituto Aguilar said the tunnel was built almost simultaneously with the construction of Fort McKinley, now known as Fort Bonifacio, at around 1910.
Aguilar, a retired general, said it took a decade before the tunnel was completed. The tunnel served as the main supply depot of the north and southern operations of the US forces against the Filipino revolutionaries.
Most of the tunnel’s laborers came from mining firms in Baguio and Benguet while others were Japanese laborers who were later on discovered as soldiers spying for their military.
The original tunnel’s length was about 2.24 kilometers with 32 built-in chambers and two passable exits, one leading to Barangay Pembo and the other to Barangay East Rembo.
A 730-meter segment of the tunnel is underneath the C-5 Road, with its opening near the Market! Market! mall.
“BGC is the fastest growing commercial, business and residential district in the country today. Equally important is the rich history that is incorporated in BGC’s development – giving it a soul,” said BCDA president Arnel Casanova.
Anyone know anything about this, and are there any photos?