Speech introducing Gov. Tobias Fornier, May 1945

(During the war Governor Tobias Fornier was misunderstood by the Guerillas in the mountains. Since they did not surrender, they hated those in the inside territory, those who returned to the town when General Wainwright ordered the USAFFE to surrender. The Filipino Government was organized in Antique and had Hon. Tobias Fornier as Governor. He was then considered as fifth columnist and was hated by the Guerillas in spite of his acts in saving the lives of his countrymen. Sometime in 1945, acting Mayor Santiago A. Lotilla (appointed as Mayor after the Pecao's time) held a party at the corner of Rizal and Tordesillas Sts. It was in honor of Gov. Fornier. This was the first time Governor Fornier appeared before the Guerillas. Mayor Lotilla thought that there were some Guerilla officers yet who hated Gov. Fornier. So he requested me to be the one to introduce Gov. Fornier in that gathering. Here is my introduction speech.)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are only too glad that the war is over. That there are no more Japanese whom we feared would catch us and cut off our heads anytime.

Now we are beginning to resume our prewar situation. We have been blessed with a fair harvest and with the reduction of prices of foodstuffs, clothing and other commodities. Every week, we hope that our normal life will return very soon. Then too our homes are fast being rebuilt and our government is doing its great task of guiding, helping , and protecting us, my fellow countrymen. Soon we shall have our election when we shall be free to express our convictions and our own free will.

As we enjoy this peace and contentment after undergoing the terrible days of fear and hardships during the war, we can never forget the past, especially those trying times when our lives were at stake. While we cannot forget our brothers, the guerillas, who fought bravely against the Japanese, and who helped to drive them away, we who lived in the occupied territory during the days of surrender, cannot forget the man who was ready to die for us and whom we owed our safety from the hands of our cruel visitors, the Japanese. I have the honor to present to you, our protector, the Honorable Governor Tobias Fornier.

By: Soledad L. Grasparil, May 1945