Yes, they were. They could've been evacuated, but chose to stay and defend. When MacArthur left, he promised he will return, and personally did. They didn't have to do it, it was a major detour on the way Saipan -> Iwo Jima > Okinawa. Did you ever notice how and wonder why much the war generation Filipinos loved America and hated the Japs in equal measures? If not, here's why: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43726532-rampage

Yes, they were. They could've been evacuated, but chose to stay and defend. When MacArthur left, he promised he will return, and personally did. They didn't have to do it, it was a major detour on the way Saipan -> Iwo Jima > Okinawa. Did you ever notice how and wonder why much the war generation Filipinos loved America and hated the Japs in equal measures? If not, here's why: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/interview-james-m-scott-author-rampage-macarthur-yamashita-and-battle-manila

Yes, they were. They could've been evacuated, but chose to stay and defend. When MacArthur left, he promised he will return, and personally did. They didn't have to do it, it was a major detour on the way Saipan -> Iwo Jima > Okinawa. Did you ever notice how and wonder why much the war generation Filipinos love America and hate the Japs in equal measures? If not, here's why: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/interview-james-m-scott-author-rampage-macarthur-yamashita-and-battle-manila

Yes, they were. They could've been evacuated, but chose to stay and defend. When MacArthur left, he promised he will return, and personally did. They didn't have to do it, it was a major detour on the way Saipan -> Iwo Jima > Okinawa. Did you ever notice how and wonder why much the war generation Filipinos love America and hate the Japs in equal measures? If not, here's why: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/book-review-rampage-macarthur-yamashita-and-battle-manila (interview: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/interview-james-m-scott-author-rampage-macarthur-yamashita-and-battle-manila)

Yes, they were. They could've been evacuated, but chose to stay and defend. When MacArthur left, he promised he will return, and personally did. They didn't have to do it, it was a major detour on the way Saipan -> Iwo Jima > Okinawa. Did you ever notice how and wonder why much the war generation Filipinos love America and hate the Japs in equal measures? If not, here's why: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/book-review-rampage-macarthur-yamashita-and-battle-manila

Yes, they were. They could've been evacuated, but chose to stay and defend. When MacArthur left, he promised he will return, and personally did. They didn't have to do it, it was a major detour on the way Saipan -> Iwo Jima > Okinawa. Did you ever notice how much the war generation Filipinos love America and hate the Japs in equal measures? If not, here's why: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/book-review-rampage-macarthur-yamashita-and-battle-manila