THE death of 100,000 non-combatants during the historic “Battle for Manila” in 1945 will be commemorated today in simple ceremonies to be held in city hall and led by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

Lim thus urged Manila residents to join city officials and guests in the commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the said event, which will be marked by wreath-laying ceremonies and a commemorative program to be held at the Freedom Triangle beside Manila City Hall at exactly 7 a.m.

The “Battle for Manila” which was fought side-by-side by Filipinos and Americans against the Japanese forces ended almost three years of Japanese military occupation in the country but left 100,000 people dead.

The said war also left Manila as the second most damaged city and the second with the most number of casualties, both civilians and soldiers.

Lim said the event brings to mind the importance of negotiations instead of waging war.

Also today, in line with the event, the Philippine flag at the Manila City Hall’s Freedom Triangle will be flown at half-mast and will be marked with a gun salute and a subsequent photo exhibit at the Rodriguez Hall portraying the devastation caused by the battle for the recovery of Manila from the hands of the Japanese.

Today’s guest of honor and speaker will be retired General Danilo Lim while the wreaths will be offered by the following: U.S. Embassy Naval Attache Office Capt. Jack Sotherland, United Kingdom Amb. Stephen Lillie, New Zealand Embassy First Secretary and Consul Heather Garven, Canadian Amb. Christopher Thornley,  PROC Embassy Consul General, Counsellor Shen Vicheng, Australian Embassy Assistant Defense Attache, Lt. Col. Paul Barta, United Mexican States Amb. Tomas Javier Calvillo Unna,  Memorare Manila 1945 Foundation, Inc. President, H.E. Juan Jose Rocha,  National Historical Commission of the Phils. Executive Director  Ludovico D. Badoy, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission Vice Chair Gemma Cruz-Araneta, PVAO Administrator General Ernesto G. Carolina (Ret.), WHA CHI 48th Squadron Veterans Post Corporate Secretary Su Tiu, Hunters ROTC Guerilla Association President Manuel Pamaran, Descendants of Chinese Pilipino World War II Heroes, Inc. Founding President Thomas Sy,  Armed Forces of the Philippines-Naval Reserved Command Commodore Jesus Millan, and Division of City Schools Superintendent Ponciano Menguito  and Boy Scouts of the Philippines Manila Council OIC Jermie Jose Trasga.

Lim’s chief of staff and media bureau director Ric de Guzman said all city officials and department heads, city employees, barangay officials, public school teachers and students are also expected to participate in the commemorative activities slated for today.

Meanwhile, ambassadors and officials of other foreign embassies and consular offices in the country were invited to grace the occasion.