Melo Villareal
Visit the Well-Preserved Ilagan Japanese Tunnel and See Where the Filipino Guerrillas Were Held Captive
Ilagan City, Philippines – The Japanese Occupation in the Philippines happened from 1942 to 1945. During that time tunnels were built by the Japanese soldiers to serve as headquarters and storage facility for its weaponry like bombs, explosives, guns, and several ammunitions. The tunnel is also the place where they held the Filipino guerrillas in captive. One of the tunnels built is the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel which is located in Barangay Sto. Tomas, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Watchtowers can also be seen above the tunnels which used to serve as a place where the Japanese soldiers can stay and watch out if there are any American forces coming to attack them. Some people say that the tunnel in Ilagan is only a decoy to a larger tunnel somewhere in Brgy. Camunatan where about six by six army trucks can fit inside. Up to now, they couldn’t find that tunnel. The size of the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel is 40 meters in length and 3.66 meters in height and width but they also say that the measurements are not final as there are unexplored areas.
Through the preservation efforts of the local tourism of Ilagan, visitors can come to the place to see the actual tunnel built when Japan conquered the Philippines. Visitors can also try wearing Japanese Kimonos and have their hair styled like Japanese women then have their pictures taken. Additional attractions today include the Ilagan Japanese Bridge and Koi Pond, The Furin and the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel Food Court.
The attraction is open to everyone. Couples can have their Pre-nuptial photography sessions as well as other pictorial while people who want to make a documentary about the area are allowed for a fee. There’s a gazebo and tables with umbrellas. Probably, the only downside of visiting the place is that you have to pay for comfort room use.
Get taken back to another era when you visit the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel where you’ll learn about the hardships of our forefathers during the dark times of the Philippines. Go on a side tour to this place when you’re visiting Isabela and have an amazing time learning about the old times.
How to Get There
Take a bus or van to Ilagan or Tuguegarao City if you’re coming from Manila and alight at Bonifacio Park in Ilagan. There’s an Information Center at the park where a guide can take you to the Ilagan Japanese Tunnel.
Contact Info:
Mobile Nos. 0935 701 1586/0932 858 3081
Looking for Hotels in Ilagan City? Checkout Agoda for a wide selection of hotels according to your budget.
Check out other Japanese Tunnels in the Philippines
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