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The site of the shrine was previously Camp O'Donnel, which was established in 1940 as temporary living quarters for military training of Filipino youth. This became the mobilization center for the 71st Division, Philippine Army, USAFFE on July 15, 1941. After the fall of Bataan, the camp was converted to a POW camp. Renamed the Capas POW camp, an estimated 75,000 Filipino and American POWs were sent here on foot, traveling 160 kilometers from Bataan. Only approximately 54,000 reached the camp; emaciated, sick and dying - the atrocities and the barbarity of the treatment by the Japanese soldiers only underscored the hardships the prisoners experienced.
The camp eventually became part of the Clark Airbase Military Reservation and was turned over to the Philippine government on April 1982. And by virtue of Proclamation No. 842, then President Corazon Aquino declared that the camp will become the Capas National Shrine on December 7, 1991.
In the center of the 54 hectare memorial is the Obelisk, which represents peace. The three segments of the tower represents the Filipino, American and Japanese people, and its massive height the desire of all these groups for world peace. The Obelisk can be seen from the entire Capas area.
The shrine also houses a Memorial Plaza, replica POW camp and a Wall of Heroes where the names of Filipinos and Americans who perished in the camp are etched in loving memory for their love of country and freedom.
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