Situated along Route 4, which is now known as the Tagudin-Cervantes-Sabangan Road in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur which is considered as the summer capital of the said province by Resolution No. 88 Series of 1993. It also serves as the jump-off point for Mt Namandiraan.
Bessang Pass lies on the southeast side of Langiatan Hill, which reaches a height of 4,000 feet, South of the pass, Mount Namogoian rises to 6,830 feet while the East is Magun Hill at 4,500 feet. The area serves as a gateway to the Cordillera mountains and the city of Baguio. It used to be a stronghold of the Japanese imperial forces under Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, known as the “Tiger of Malaya”. It was part of the triangular defense of General Yamashita in the north which defends the Ifugao-Benguet-Vizcaya borders.
It once played a huge historical importance in the Philippine history and is considered by many historians as one of the greatest victories won by the Filipinos. The battle initially started on February 1945 and ends on June 14, 1945, which paved the way for the entrapment of Yamashita’s forces in the Cordillera until the general’s surrender in September 1945.
In commemoration for the gallantry of men who lost their lives, a monument was erected which honors the 1,395 USAFIP-NL members who were killed during the battle that was unveiled in the park in 1954.
The park contains pine forests as well as mossy type forests. It is crossed by the Bessang Creek and Matukbo River which provides the water supply for Cervantes and other surrounding communities. The park is also the habitat of several bird species, mammals, and reptiles such as the monitor lizard and different species of snakes.
References:
http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/history-and-culture/1508/battle-of-bessang-pass/
http://manilastandardtoday.com/opinion/columns/to-the-point-by-emil-jurado/268049/battle-of-bessang-pass.html
https://tawidnewsmag.com/2017/06/19/battle-bessang-pass-one-greatest-victories-won-filipinos/
http://thestandard.com.ph/mobile/article/268049
***Special Thanks to Daang Hari Mountaineers (DHAMO) for the event invite which is a nonprofit hike that was a fundraising project for Baby Blue. Thumbs up guys (Sayang wala tayo group picture s Bessang Pass) kya hiindi ko naisama sa blog.
