'Dragon's teeth' in Naga at risk of being destroyed?

Local

CONCERNS have emerged in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Pangan in the City of Naga, Cebu over the potential damage to the World War II–era “dragon’s teeth” fortifications as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues a flood-control project in the area.

The historic anti-tank barriers stand close to the construction site, prompting calls for safeguards to prevent further disturbance.

Historian and Cebu Capitol heritage consultant Jobers Bersales has raised alarms over the structures, stressing their historical significance and warning that the ongoing works may violate heritage protection laws.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 21, Bersales wrote that the anti-tank barriers—commonly referred to as “dragon’s teeth”—are at risk of being destroyed.

He cited Republic Act 11961, which mandates prior coordination with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) when heritage properties are affected.

Bersales said he had an online message exchange with a DPWH engineer, who assured him that the agency would comply with the requirements to consult with the NCCA and the NHCP.

He added that reports indicated the World War II anti-tank barriers, known as “dragon’s teeth,” in Sitio Mainit, Barangay Pangan, Naga City, were at risk of destruction due to the ongoing DPWH-funded flood-control project.

He emphasized that such action would clearly violate the provisions of R.A. 11961, as the structures are recognized heritage properties.

In a follow-up interview on Saturday, Nov. 22, Bersales said the DPWH has agreed to temporarily halt construction in the area while an archaeological and heritage impact assessment is conducted.

He added that the NCCA plans to send a formal cease-and-desist order to ensure the preservation of the barriers.

Bersales emphasized that the dragon’s teeth were built by the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFE) before the Japanese invasion of Cebu in April 1942.

Bersales said the barriers had been strategically positioned along Cebu’s limited east-west road networks, particularly through Naga and Talisay, to slow down potential enemy tank movements.

He explained that the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFE), which included Filipino and American soldiers, built these anti-tank barriers—called dragon’s teeth in Europe—to impede advancing enemy tanks.

“You have to understand nga dugay nainvade ang Cebu. Naabot na ang mga Japanese, nidunggo na sa Lingayen Gulf on December 8 or December 9 or around the period paghuman sa bombing sa Pearl Harbor nidunggo na sila sa norte sa Luzon going to Manila—1941 December,” he said.

“Ang Cebu was invaded, four months later pa April 10 1942 only after the surrender of Bataan kay naconcentrate ang tanan Japanese mga soldiers ug ilang main force sa Bataan ug Corregidor so wala dayon nila giinvade ang Bohol, Cebu ug Negros,” he added.

According to him, Cebu had only two main east-west roads, through Naga and Talisay, which made the barriers strategically important.

He added that while some of the barriers in Talisay have been dismantled, the remnants in Naga and Toledo remain largely intact.

After the war, portions of the structures were cut to open roads for civilian use, but most were preserved due to their massive construction.

Bersales noted that even the ongoing flood-control project struggles to remove the barriers, which require heavy equipment.

He said the structures serve as markers of Cebu’s defense preparations during World War II and represent both American and Filipino contributions, highlighting their significance to the province’s history and heritage.

“These are markers of the World War II pagsugod sa Cebu sa pagdefend sa iyang kaugalingon unya binuhat ni sa mga Amerikano ug Filipino volunteers as well as soldiers— historic kaayo na iyang significance,” he added.(MyTVCebu)