By Robina Asido

At least eight remains of the Japanese war dead were recovered following a meeting between the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Japanese government two years ago, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

In an interview with the Daily Manila Shimbun after the Post - State of the National Address (SONA) discussion in San Juan on Tuesday, Remulla said the remains of two Japanese soldiers were recovered under the building of the Department of Justice (DOJ) while six others were found in Tarlac.

"Two years ago, the DOJ building was dug up and the remains of the two Japanese were found. In Capas, Tarlac six others were also recovered last year," he said.

"It's not a conscious effort to dig up looking at that. It often happens by happenstance... and it is subjected to DNA and...once they are confirmed Japanese they are repatriated," he added.

Remulla said the effort of the agency to assist the Japanese government in the repatriation of the bones of the Japanese soldiers who died during the Second World War, around 80 years ago is continuous.

"That's continuous. I had several meetings with the Japanese Ambassador. Whenever there are verified reports, we are in close coordination with the Japanese government," he said.

Two years ago, the DILG stated that "over 300,000 remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II are still on the country’s grounds.''

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimated 518,000 soldiers died during World War II but around 148, 530 were recovered.

On June 2023, the DILG under then Secretary Benjur Abalos Jr. expressed the Philippine government's commitment to support the Japanese government in the recovery and repatriation of the remains of their soldiers in the country.

In May 2018, the Philippines and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to facilitate the proper collection, handling, storage, and shipment of the remains of Japanese soldiers who died during World War II in the Philippines. DMS