Maria Hernandez

mohernande@guampdn.com

Silvina Taumomoa, 77, was among a group of people gathered on a wooden platform at the bottom of a stairway that led to the entrance of a cave where her father was killed more than 70 years ago.

“I feel a lot. I feel it’s important to renew my ties with my ancestors by coming here,” Taumomoa said.

Those gathered at the site paid respects to the 34 Chamorros who perished in the Fena cave massacre during World War II. A memorial ceremony was held at Old Agat Cemetery after the site visit.

Her father, Pedro Ofrecido Cruz, was among more than 30 people brutally murdered by Japanese soldiers with grenades and bayonets at Fena cave 72 years ago, during the Japanese occupation of the island in WWII. It happened July 23, 1944, two days after American Marines and soldiers stormed the beaches to begin the liberation of Guam.

At the time her father was killed, Taumomoa said, she was with her mother and siblings at the Manengon concentration camp.

Remembering the true meaning of Liberation Day

Tuesday’s site visit was emotional for her, she said, and she attends every year to be connected with her father and to be back on her ancestral land. She said her family once lived on the land where the cave is located.

Fena cave is located at what is presently the Naval Munitions Annex on Naval Base Guam.

Toward the end of WWII, many Chamorros were killed by the Japanese military in massacres that took place in several parts of the island. The Fena cave massacre is considered one of the worst atrocities.

The names of survivors and victims were read aloud at the ceremony. The victims were honored with prayer, wreaths and candles by many of the island’s dignitaries.