Coron during World War II

Confident of the invulnerability of the United States Army, news of the outbreak of the war did not readily strike fear in the people of Coron. Many took the event lightly, and philosophically believed that the war would not last more than a month or two. However, after hearing several adverse news on what happened in the battlefields, fear began to grip them and they felt uneasy if not panicky. Supply of goods from the big city, especially rice and other prime commodities became scarce as the merchants hoarded them making life condition more difficult in the town.

Fearing that the war would last longer than they first thought and that the enemies may eventually come to do them harm, many people evacuated to their farms or to the barrios. While before they were mostly dependent upon the stores for their needs, now they have to work to produce them. They cultivated their farms and planted root crops. Some went to the forests to dig wild roots (Many had to eat to keep themselves fed and muster their fortitude in facing the adversities they met.) The war really tested the people's true character, which proved to be of questionable strength.

On May 4, 1942 at 8:00 o'clock in the morning, three Japanese transports arrived at Coron. One platoon of soldiers led by three officers, Commander Akiyana, Major Shimoto, and Captain Niyamote landed and occupied the town, which did not offer any resistance. They established their quarters in the Luzon Stevedoring Company compound, located at the present elementary school buildings; they also occupied the ancestral house of the Sandovals. Soon after, they also occupied the mining camps at Singay, Carmelita, and Amalgated Mines.

When the Japanese landed, the municipal officials led by Acting mayor Quintin Garraez went to meet them and surrendered the town. They also surrendered all their weapons together with 161 Japanese inertness. After the peaceful surrender of the town, the two other transports proceeded to Cuyo. The Japanese soldiers left Coron immediately. They made moves to bring peace in the locality, in preparation of reopening the manganese mines, and not long after, some of the mines were again in operation.

Following the occupation of Coron by the enemies the following important events happened in the locality and neighboring places:

July 1942:
Japanese occupation of the mining camps and beginning of the operation of the mines.

Sept. 7. 1942:
Start of the guerilla activities of the underground forces of Coron under Captain Carlos Amores at Singay Mining Camp.

Sept. 8. 1942:
Capt. Amores and his men captured Japanese launches, which were going to Cuyo and killed all their crews.

Sept. 9, 1942:
Capt. Amores and his men captured some more Japanese launches.

Sept. 29, 1942:
Encounter between the Coron Underground forces under Lt. Simeon Macolor and the Japanese soldiers.

Sept. 30. 1942:
Capt. Amores and his men attacked the Japanese at Densikay, on the outskirts of Coron Poblacion. It is important of mention that the Japanese Commander in Coron wired his headquarters in Luzon and asked for reinforcement, which was immediately sent. A boatload of Japanese marines (some say they were Koreans) arrived and promptly went after the guerillas who, because of their inferior weapons and insufficient ammunitions, had to seek the hinterlands.

Dec.1942:
Guerilla ammunition and food supplies were exhausted, and they decided to move to
mainland of Palawan

Feb.26. 1943:
Coron Guerillas landed at Sitio Golatang in Taytay and organized their headquarters at Oton and Cobato.
In 1943, former Municipal Mayor Francisco Reyes was appointed Mayor of Coron by the Philippine Executive Commission. With the transfer of the guerillas to Paragua, the Japanese at Coron felt very much relived of harassment. Through the tactful diplomacy of Mayor Reyes, the relations between the Japanese and the inhabitants of Coron improved.
The operation of the manganese mines was accelerated by the employment of the laborers, brought from Luzon. Condition in Coron was practically normal until the following events:

Sept. 24, 1944:
American Task Force 38 bombed some 24 Japanese warship and supply ships hiding in the waters between Coron and Culion. Many ships were sunk and Japanese soldiers killed.

Oct. 09. 1944:
The Navy Auxiliary Oil Tanker "Okikawa Maru" forecastle remained afloat and burned until 9 Oct. when another U.S. air group appeared and, in a final strike, sent her to the bottom.

The war tide turned against the Japanese. They became brutal and vindictive. They captured and executed those whom they suspected doing anything against their war effort. Fear again rigged the people and most of them evacuated to the hinterlands of Busuanga, some to Culion Island among the Lepers, which the Japanese didn't like to get in contact with.

Feb.1945:
Guerillas from Paragua arrived at Culion and established their headquarters there. They were already well armed and organized. American P.T. boats guided by Lt. Trinidad Vizconde attacked the Japanese at Coron, while no landing was made.

March 1945:
Coron was liberated. Government was reestablished. Schools were reopened.