A trapezoidal stone block bearing a rifle with a hat, and a plaque engraved with a commemoration message and a list of names of those who are honored. The plaque is inscribed in English in engraved and black lettering.

On August 3, 1942, a small band of former United States Armed Forces in the Philippines (USAFFE) soldiers mounted a successful raid against the patrolling Japanese troops in Buenavista, Himamaylan, Negros Occidental. This incident inspired the local USAFFE leaders to integrate all guerrilla units into what would eventually become the Seventh Military District.

Prior to this engagement, there had been some minor engagements between the Japanese troops and unorganized Filipino guerrillas in Negros Occidental. After observing the routine of the Japanese patrols between the towns of Kabankalan and Himamaylan, Corporal Federico Lopez and his "G" Company planned an ambush set on the evening of August 3, 1942. The group hid behind coconut trees and started to fire on the enemy patrol.

Surprised, 37 Japanese soldiers were killed. The lone survivor of this patrol was rescued by a reinforcement. The guerrillas retreated without casualties.

The daring assault caught the attention of then-Majors Salvador Abcede and Ernesto Mata (who later became an AFP Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary). They called for a conference in the mountain hideout of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental Mayor Augurio Abeto, and asked their former subordinates to join them. They reorganized themselves into a Negros Occidental guerrilla unit and was recognized by Panay guerrilla leader Macario Peralta as an affiliate of his IV Philippine Corps. A year later, in 1943, General Douglas MacArthur reorganized the Negros Occidental area as the Seventh Military District, which continued until the end of World War II in 1945.

The monument was erected by the war veterans in the town of Himamaylan to commemorate this wartime resistance.

Source of information: Project Vinta FB page

Source of photos: apple903.wordpress.com