Please Read: An Open Letter to All Japanese Nationals Around the World

I am sorry but I have to send this unfortunate message to you. It breaks my heart, but I decided that you should also be made aware of this. And I hope you read this intently as this concerns both of our nations.

First and foremost, I am very sympathetic to the endeavors of your fellow Japanese in wanting to find the lost remains of the Japanese soldiers here in my country. It is bothersome to think that ancestors, yours or mine, won't be able to go through the rituals in place for them to have a peaceful death. However, in relation to this, I would like to make you aware, as Japanese nationals, of how some of your fellowmen have taken my ancestors in the belief that they are Japanese.

We feel the same pain. But I hope that the Japanese won't aggravate our pain so as to alleviate your own. I hope you would read this with concern:

http://wwt.gmanews.tv/story/222452/nation/expert-japanese-may-have-looted-palawan-caves

To quote my professor, Dr. Victor Paz:

At the rate the looting is going, we will have nothing left for future generations of Filipinos to protect and learn from; thousands of Filipino and ancestral Filipino remains will be processed through Shinto rites, and will give the Japanese people closure as they are consoled in the belief that the spirits of their compatriots are in peace. The Japanese people should know the truth. As a final thought, should the closure of this dark past in Japanese history once again be at the expense of our history and heritage?

(Paz, 2011; emphasis mine)

*This letter was also sent to my Japanese friends.