Media Advisory
Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
Contact Person: Arturo Garcia
June 29, 2009

COMMODORE RAMON ALCARAZ, PN , VETERAN AND ANTI MARTIAL LAW PIONEER IN THE UNITED STATES

Los Angeles--Commodere Ramon Alcaraz, PN, the man who defied Marcos, a known anti Marcos leader in the United States, graduate of the Philippine Military Academy class 1940 and a pillar of the Filipino veterans' cause died last June 25, 2009.

Ramon Alcaraz , a bemedalled World War II Filipino veteran is an authentic war hero who was promoted on the spot and decorated personally by General MacArthur in Corregidor for heroism and gallantry in action in January 1942. A torpedo boat commander, Alcaraz shot down three Japanese dive bombers during World War II.

He commanded the Phil.Navy Q-boats that safely transported President Quezon and Macarthur from Corregidor to Mindanao in March 1942. He later joined the guerillas. The American captain of the PT boat was awarded the congressional medal of honor but not the Filipino Alcaraz.

When Ramon Magsaysay was Secretary of Defense of the Philippines, he sent Alcaraz to the USA to study the organization of the United States Marine Corps. His report led to the establishment of the 1st Marine Company that grew into the Philippine Marine Corps of today.

President and later dictator Marcos, acknowledging the free and brave spirit of Alcaraz refused to name him as an Rear Admiral despite his senoirity in rank and instead named Commodore Dioscoro Papa as the PN Chief.

Alcaraz retired from the service and went to the United States to form opposition to Marcos instead. He became a stalwart of the Movement For a Free Philippines (MFP).

And much more he led the Filipino veterans against the Marcos dictatorship having political differences with Manglapus who led the purely-anti Marcos movement. Together with General Jose De Veyra, his junior PMA officer of Class 1941, they led the veterans movement in the United States in fighting for justice and equity for more than 18 years.

The Justice for Filipino Veterans (JFAV) pays tribute to the great soldier, veterans and anti-Martial Law leader in the United States.

We salute you sir! Mabuhay Kayo!

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