By Helen Castaño | 06:12 PM June 29, 2026
CATIGBIAN, Bohol — Flowers, prayers, and a wreath-laying ceremony marked the first commemoration of the establishment of the Bohol Area Command on Monday, June 29, honoring the Bohol guerrillas who fought against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
The ceremony paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the resistance fighters whose efforts helped defend Bohol during the Japanese occupation and highlighted Catigbian’s historic role as the birthplace of the island’s organized guerrilla movement.
The program began at the Catigbian Municipal Hall grounds, where local officials led by Mayor Benjie Oliva, surviving World War II veterans and their families, government employees, and residents gathered for commemorative rites.
A wreath-laying ceremony and a 21-gun salute were held in honor of the members of the Bohol Area Command.
“It symbolizes the unity and bravery of the Boholano warriors in their fight for freedom,” Oliva said. “The freedom we enjoy today was secured through the courage of ordinary citizens and soldiers who chose to defend their homeland despite overwhelming odds.”
Participants later proceeded to the historic “Behind the Clouds” site in Barangay Maitum, where the commemoration continued with mayors and local officials from various towns across Bohol joining the tribute.
The “Behind the Clouds” site is regarded as the birthplace of Bohol’s organized resistance movement. It was here that former United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) soldiers and ordinary civilians established guerrilla camps and launched operations against the Japanese occupation forces.
The Bohol Force, later designated as the Bohol Area Command, served as the principal USAFFE-aligned guerrilla resistance network in the province during World War II.
The command later became known as “Behind the Clouds,” a name inspired by the hidden mountain camps established by the unit of Capt. Francisco Salazar, one of the founders of the resistance movement.
Enduring legacy
Historical accounts say that when challenged by Japanese forces, Salazar would send the message: “If you care to find us, search us Behind the Clouds.”
Oliva announced that the municipal government plans to build a memorial shrine at the historic site to preserve the legacy of the Bohol guerrillas and ensure that future generations continue to remember their heroism and patriotism.
He said the local government has acquired a 50-hectare property for the proposed memorial shrine, which will serve as a lasting symbol of unity, shared heritage, and the collective sacrifices of the men and women of the Bohol Area Command.
Oliva said the annual commemoration is expected to become a permanent reminder of the bravery, patriotism, and enduring legacy of the Boholanos who fought for the province’s freedom during one of the darkest chapters of its history.
