22 May 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu attended the 70th Anniversary and Commemoration of the West Loch Disaster, which occurred on 21 May 1944.
The West Loch Disaster was a maritime incident that occurred at the Pearl Harbor U.S. Naval Base. It started with an explosion in the staging area for landing ships. It was known as the second disaster at Pearl Harbor during World War II.
This World War II American military disaster was largely unknown, as it was classified as Top Secret until 1960. A press blackout was enforced and naval personnel and survivors were ordered not to publicly discuss the incident.
Dignitaries that attended the commemoration included Senator Will Espero, Representative Stanley Chang, Capt. John Figuerres and US Navy Commander Timothy Wilke. Philippine Consul Roberto T. Bernardo represented the Consulate General. The African American Diversity Cultural Center of Hawaii organized the event. The attendees were ferried to the site of the West Loch disaster, a 30 minute boat ride from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. A Navy chaplain said a prayer, and the attendees dropped flowers into the water as a floral tribute, while Navy personnel in smaller boats saluted and stood at attention. END