On the southern side of the shrine.

Monument

A 73-meter (240 ft) gray obelisk monument divided into three sections, symbolizing the unity and shared aspiration for world peace among the Filipino, American, and Japanese people. Beneath the monument, plaques mounted on the wall recount the area's history during the Bataan Death March.

On the leftmost plaque:

CAPAS NATIONAL SHRINE

Established as Camp O'Donnel in 1940 as cantonment center for the military training of the Filipino youth. Became cantonment and mobilization center of the 71st Division, PA, USAFFE on July 15, 1941, as ordered by the U.S.A. President FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT. Transformed into a Prisoner of War Camp by the Japanese Imperial forces after the "Fall of Bataan" and the surrender of the Filipino and American troops. Renamed Capas Prisoners of War Concentration Camp. Around 60,500 Filipino and American prisoners of war were herded In this camp. Many became weak, sick and eventually passed away. On July 25, 1942, approximately 30,000 Filipino and American prisoners died of sickness and malnutrition while under detention. Became Part of Clark Air Base Military Reservation after World War ll. Turned over to the Philippine Government on the occassion the 40th Anniversary of Bataan Day on April 9, 1982. Declared as Capas National Shrine by Proclamation No. 842, dated December 7, 1991 by President CORAZON C. AQUINO.

On the rightmost plaque:

DESIGN FEATURES AND COMPONENTS

MEMORIAL MONUMENT

The "Obelisk" is the focal center of the entire shrine site which stands for peace. The needle-like tower consist of three sections symbolizing the Filipino, American and Japanese people in this modern age of global peace, who have learned the lessons of war from the past. Regulatory signal beacons is installed atop-the obelisk, to symbolize the height of nationalistic aspiration of Filipinos towards peace and freedom.

Plaque on the opposite side:

CAPAS NATIONAL SHRINE

TINATAG NOONG 1940 BILANG CAMP O'DONNELL. NAGSILBING BILANGGUAN NG MAHIGIT NA 40,000 KAWAL PILIPINO AT 9,000 KAWAL AMERIKANO NA BIHAG NG DIGMA NA DUMANAS NG DEATH MARCH. HUMIGIT KUMULANG SA 30,000 ANG NAMATAY SA KAMPONG ITO SANHI NG SAKIT AT IBAYONG PAHIRAP MULA ABRIL HANGGANG HUNYO 1942. INILIBING SA IISANG HUKAY ANG MGA NASAWING BAYANI. NAKILALA SA PANGALANG CAPAS CONCENTRATION CAMP. NAGING BAHAGI NG CLARK AIR BASE MILITARY RESERVATION MAKARAAN ANG IKALAWANG DIGMAANG PANDAIGDIG. IBINALIK SA REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS 9 ABRIL 1982. IPINAHAYAG NA ISANG PAMBANSANG DAMBANA 9 OKTUBRE 1991.

English Translation:

ESTABLISHED IN 1940 AS CAMP O'DONNELL. SERVED AS A PRISONER FOR OVER 40,000 FILIPINO SOLDIERS AND 9,000 AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO WERE PART OF THE WAR AND SUBJECTED TO A DEATH MARCH. MORE THAN 30,000 DIED IN THIS CAMP FROM DISEASE AND OTHER SUFFERING FROM APRIL TO JUNE 1942. THE DEAD HEROES WERE BURIED IN A SINGLE GRAVE. KNOWN AS THE CAPAS CONCENTRATION CAMP. BECAME PART OF THE CLARK AIR BASE MILITARY RESERVATION AFTER WORLD WAR II. RETURNED TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 9 APRIL 1982. DECLARED A NATIONAL HAZARD 9 OCTOBER 1991.