It was a fruitful Saturday morning with our BHS Field Recon Team with the re-opening of Panaisan Japanese War Tunnel No. 1 and the discovery of a new (not yet registered and surveyed) War Tunnel No. 2 with the help of the land owner Jose Marimla. The BHS Field Recon Team conducted field survey and mapping on the two tunnels.

Part of the mountain defenses of the Hoshino Battalion, Takayama Detachment, Kembu Group, these tunnels are located on the high ground of Panaisan overlooking the highway, where mortars and machineguns were emplaced at the entrance and the battle ensued in January 1945. Most of the Japanese defenders of Panaisan holed in these tunnels were killed with the encounter with the 40th Division US Army.

There used to be more than 50 tunnels of Panaisan. Now, one a handful are still open and most of them were closed due to soil erosion, landslide, and human activity.

With the discovery of the two war tunnels, these will be included in our WWII Battlefield Tour and Study for people to learn and enjoy Bamban’s WWII Heritage sites.

The BHS Field Recon Team during the tunnel exploration on Panaisan Hills;

Rhonie Dela Cruz

Beta Dela Cruz

Doug M.

Hope Pineda

Aries Dizon

Paolo

Buddy Carino

Bob Esteel Mallari