PART II: Cochinos Point and Longos Kawayan PointFinding the Fire Control Station on Cochinos Point was one of our trip objectives. Due to security guards near a 'someday to be built' resort, our only access to this Point was via boat. Arrangements had already been made so on the second day off we went.
This Fire Control Station which faced the South China Sea served as another set of eyes for the harbour defenses of Manila Bay. We did not know its exact location but Glen Williford of the CDSG provided a probable description of the station. He said:
The station would be an 8-foot square 'cube', buried up to the slot which runs along the seaward side. Probably entry through a manhole-like cover directly on top, but maybe a step-down into a rear entry door. In any event much won't be sticking above ground, particularly from the rear where it would be mostly flush to the ground level.
The most likely location for such a station is where you can see the best. The highest hills on top of the Point would be looked at first. As it turned out, the station was easy to find plus we also came across two other structures.
Cochinos Point is located at the western side of the entrance to Mariveles Harbour. (Google Earth photo)
View of Cochinos Point taken from the opposite side of Mariveles Harbour.
Using the GPS software again, here is the location of the three structures we found that day. (1) The Fire Control Station known as B IV 3, (2) a small nearby building I labeled as Quarters and (3) Datum Point 7. (Google Earth photo)
Leaving the dock in Mariveles we can see Cochinos Point in the distance.
Due to many cliffs along the point, we were uncertain of how to find the easiest route to the top. We got lucky with our first stop. It was steep with little to hold onto but not dangerous. Within minutes we were up there heading for the higher ground.
This is the view back towards Mariveles from where we landed. The old volcano, Mount Mariveles, is on the horizon.
On top of the point looking directly across Mariveles Bay.
Looking SE along Cochinos Point. Corregidor Island is to the left and La Monja Island is straight ahead.
This is the view looking across Cochinos Point SW to the South China Sea.
Looking inland (NW), here is high ground that we checked out first.
Here it is. Nearly hidden among the grass and bushes is the Fire Control Station.
A bit later Karl and his bolo attacked the vegetation so we could get a good look at the station. Glen's expectations of what we would see were very accurate. The roof is missing but all four walls still remain. The seaward side with the large viewing area is oriented south. There is no doorway but as Glen mentioned, I can see remnants of a steel ladder in a rear corner. Access was via the top down the rear wall.
Side view of the station. The seaward side is to the right. The large viewing area included half of both adjacent walls. The ladder was on the rear wall at the top left corner.
Standing above the rear wall looking seaward.
This is a close-up photo of the rear wall showing one of the steel ladder rungs that had been cut off. (The white spot below the steel is a spider's nest).
Great views up here. It is hot but the strong breeze feels good.
From the Fire Control Station another hill can be seen. We can see concrete on it too. Note the concrete directly in front of us.
We didn't bother cleaning this out. It has four low concrete walls and a broken concrete floor. My guess is it was quarters for the station personnel. It is located below the top of the hill just 37 meters from the Fire Control Station.
On the second hill the concrete we saw turned out to be four pedestals. The site looked like it had been for a radio tower. Later I received information from a friend saying that the four concrete pedestals are mounting blocks for 'Datum Point 7'. This may have been in the form of a beacon i.e. a metal frame work supporting a steel post with a target on top. This would have then been visible from Corregidor and used as a known reference point for surveys and map making.
Two of the four pedestals at the top of the hill.
Time to enjoy the scenery. A freighter leaves Manila Bay.
Looking further up the coast, here are two of the 'Points'.
A closer view of Talaga Point in the foreground and Hornos Point behind it.
Looking back towards Mariveles
This land bridge prevents the point from being an island.
Time to head back. I am on the Datum Point hill looking back to the hill where the Fire Control Station is located. Above the it you can see Corregidor Island. La Monja Island is to the right. This photo gives you a view all the way across Manila Bay, you can just make out the hills of Cavite.
At the top of the grassy slope where we will go descend to the beach.
Our ride back to Mariveles waits below.
The hillside levels out a bit but you still have to be careful of tripping over rocks hidden in the grass.
Almost at the beach.
After returning to Mariveles, we had an afternoon left so we headed towards the coast west of here. We visited a little village at Biaan Bay and later walked the trails overlooking Longos Kawayan Point. The 'Battle of the Points' had been fought in this area.
Google Earth satellite photo showing 'The Points' area of Bataan.
This is a small village in Biaan Bay. I don't see any name for it on the maps.
Approaching Longos Kawayan Point.
All of the points seem to have nice beaches. I expect these are the actual locations where the Japanese came ashore.
Getting troops off the beach and inland seems like no problem.
Today a few people live here. I have never read about Filipinos living on the points during the war but some probably did.
The water is so clear you can see the fisherman's net touching the bottom.
Overall view of Longos Kawayan Point looking south east.
Cheers. Postscript....I see, what appears to be a basketball backboard, standing in the village "plaza". It's good to know that the local kids can "shoot a few hoops". 
