I-Witness: ‘El Fraile: Ang Pagsuko ng Fort Drum,’ dokumentaryo ni Kara David (full episode)

The Concrete Battleship00:00:37

An introduction to Fort Drum, established in 1909. Unlike other historical fortifications, it was designed as a 'concrete battleship' with walls 40 feet high and 20 feet thick, making it a unique military engineering achievement with no equivalent in the world.

WWII Resistance and Fall00:05:00

Despite being heavily bombed by the Japanese during WWII, the fort remained impenetrable. It eventually fell after the fall of Corregidor. Later, U.S. forces recaptured it by pumping gasoline into the vents and igniting it, killing the Japanese soldiers hiding inside.

Exploration and Current State00:11:25

The documentary crew attempts to access the island twice due to dangerous sea conditions. Upon successfully entering, they discover the interior chambers, signs of the fire used during the war, and the deteriorating state of the fort's massive 14-inch cannons.

Neglect of a Historical Treasure00:26:40

The island is now suffering from abandonment and scavenging. While other fortifications in Manila Bay have some form of preservation, Fort Drum remains neglected, despite being considered one of the top military wonders of the world.