Battle of Bessang Pass

Declared as a National Monument, the Bessang Pass National Shrine is located in the mountainous area of Barangay Malaya, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur with a total land area of 1,121 hectares. In Philippine history, it was the place where the last battle between the Filipino Guerrillas and the Japanese Imperial Army was held during the World War II.

The gun battle was then called as "Battle of Bessang Pass," in which the Filipino soldiers defeated the Japanese troop led by Gen. Tumoyuki Yamashita. More or less 3,400 men, who fought fiercely for freedom and peace during the historic "Battle of Bessang Pass" that ended on 14 June 1945, were killed and wounded in the place.

Bessang Pass is a strategic gap, 5,250 feet above sea level traversed by Highway 4, west of Cervantes, which served as the backdoor to General Yamashita's last ditch defense during the last stage of World War II. The place can be hiked from Sagada, which will entail 2 to 3 days of hike.