Republic of the Philippines
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Manila
By The President of the Republic of the Philippines
PROCLAMATION NO. 30
PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF A STATE OF WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES
WHEREAS, the Filipino people, during the whole period of their subjection to alien rule, have unremittingly labored for their freedom and independence and to this end fought two wars and countless resolutions;
WHEREAS, upon the attainment by the Philippines of this cherished goal of freedom and independence and on the occasion of the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippines on October 14, 1943, the President appeal to all nations and peoples of the world for amity and goodwill and, to the United States of America especially, pleaded that the Philippines be spared the suffering and destruction incident to the resumption of military operations on our soil;
WHEREAS, notwithstanding this appeal, the United States of America and Great Britain have attacked from the air certain parts of the Philippines thereby violating the territorial integrity of the Republic, and causing death or injury to its citizens and destruction or damage to their property;
WHEREAS, the Philippines must safeguard its independence and territorial integrity as every self-respecting sovereign state is in honor bound to do; and
WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines has entered into a Pact of Alliance with Japan, based on mutual respect of sovereignty and territories, to safeguard the territorial integrity and independence of the Philippines.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jose P. Laurel, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby proclaim that a state of war exists between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America and Great Britain, effective September 23, 1944, at 10:00 o'clock in the morning.
Face to face with the grim realities of war, I earnestly, call upon every Filipino at this momentous hour to show his unswerving loyalty and to give his support to the Government, so that, regardless of the trials and tribulations we are undergoing and those we shall have to suffer in the near future, we may closely and firmly unite to safeguard the free and independent existence of the Philippines.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-four, and of the Republic of the Philippines, the first.
(Sgd.) JOSE P. LAUREL
President of the Republic of the Philippines |
By the President:
(Sgd.) EMILIO ABELLO
Executive Secretary
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