Rizal and Dr. Laurel both wrote pieces while in prison, Rizal in Fort Santiago in Manila and Dr. Laurel in Sugamo Prison in Japan. You better reconsider your resignation.” Dr. Laurel responded: “… I cannot with dignity continue serving under the circumstances. But the greatest test for Dr. Laurel’s service to the nation was the presidency of the Second Philippine Republic established on October 14, 1943. It was too bad that when MacArthur returned, Dr. Laurel had been forced by General Yamashita to retreat to Japan. Yamashita forced Dr. Laurel into retreat to Japan in order to escape MacArthur only for Dr. Laurel to fall right into the hands of MacArthur once he became Proconsul of Japan upon Emperor Hirohito’s surrender in 1945.

Source: Manila Times March 17, 2017 17:44 UTC