Survivors mark recapture of rock

Survivors mark recapture of rock

CORREGIDOR, Philippines (AFP): American and Filipino veterans
and one of their surviving Japanese World War II enemies returned
to this ancient fortress yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary
of one of the bloodiest scenes of combat in the Pacific theater.

The old soldiers were joined on the island which guards the
entrance to Manila Bay by Philippine President Fidel Ramos -- a
former general who as a young officer fought for the south in the
Korean War -- and U.S. Secretary of the Army, Togo West.

"We commemorate the recapture, 50 years ago, of Corregidor,
not to reopen old wounds caused by war, but to point out the
folly of war and stress how much more nations can benefit if they
work together," Ramos said after laying a wreath at a war
memorial here.

The tiny island had briefly served as the seat of the
Philippine government and the general headquarters of U.S. Gen.
Douglas McArthur.