Location
Cotabato Province was formally part of Region XI.

Kabakan
Lat 7° 6' 29N Long 124° 49' 19E  Located 60 miles east of Illana Bay. Located at the junction of Route 1 (east-west road) and Sayre Highway (north-south road).

Two groups of 24th Infantry Division moved inland, one on land and the other up the Mindanao River in landing craft. Their advance was slowed by the heat, terrain and rear-guard US troops. Kabakan was secured on noon of April 23, 1945, after eliminating rear-guard Japanese forces. Once Kabakan was secured, the Japanese were now split. The next day, the 24th Infantry Division pushed forward towards Davao Gulf. Three days later, the newly arrived 31st Infantry Division moved northward on the Sayre Highway towards central Mindanao.

Malabang Airfield
American prewar airfield used in the defense of the Philippines and during liberation

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009