On the morning of March 10, 1974, Hiroo Onoda, wearing his old Japanese military uniform, arrived at Lubang Island Police Station. He bowed to the people there and laid down his weapons, saying, “I am Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda and I have received orders to surrender to you.”

Onoda had killed a total of 130 Filipinos in 30 years, including soldiers, policemen and civilians. Many Filipinos suggested Onoda be locked in jail and punished according to the law. However, with the Japanese government’s mediation, the then Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos pardoned him and allowed him to return to Japan. [File photo]