TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The bust of war veteran and former governor, Captain Juan M. Duyan, was unveiled late afternoon of February 14, 2022 at the Kalinga Provincial Police Office (KPPO).
The unveiling was done by his son, Juan Victor A. Duyan Jr., PBGEN Ronald Lee and PBGEN Steve Ludan in the presence of Duyan’s wife, Iluminada, as well as other family members and relatives.
During World War II, Capt. Duyan led the overrun company F and K of the 11th Infantry Division of the United States (US) Army. In the “Battle of Toul Pocket” in Bataan, despite being trapped with no food, few ammunition, and no entrenching tools, they dug foxholes with bayonets and sharpened bamboos and were able to launch a series of counterattacks that destroyed the enemy.
He was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart Military Medal by the US Army, and the Gold Cross Medal by the Philippine Army for his unequaled military strategy and gallantry in combat and for surviving the Bataan Death March and subsequently escaping the Capas Concentration Camp.
After escaping, Duyan organized the Luzon Guerillas and affiliated it with the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines Northern Luzon Unit where he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of the K and 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Division who fought the Hukbalahap insurgents in Central Luzon.
From 1949 to 1952, he was the Commanding Officer of the 12th Philippine Constabulary serving the whole of the old Mountain Province. In 1957, he became the Captain of the Philippine Constabulary in Bontoc, Mt. Province.
From 1957 to 1961 and then 1964 to 1966, he served as the Congressman of the first district of Mt. Province.
From 1966 to 1967, he was the first Congressman of then Kalinga-Apayao and then in 1968, he became the first elected Governor of Kalinga-Apayao.
In October 19, 2019, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino World War II Veterans in the US.
The headquarters of the KPPO was named after Duyan as a tribute. One of his initiatives as governor was to speed up the massive road program of the province, during which he initiated the subdivision of the 136 hectares lot owned by the provincial government, apportioning it to the different government agencies of Kalinga, including the KPPO.
