Jesus Baza Duenas
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Father Jesus Baza Dueñas (1911 Hagatña-July 12, 1944 Tai, Mangilao) was a Catholic priest in Guam during the World War II.
Dueñas studied for the priesthood in Manila, and was the second Chamorro Catholic priest
During the Japanese occupation of Guam, Father Duenas knew the movements of the American fugitives and the identities of the people who assisted and harbored them. He is also said to have knowledge about the plans of Japanese search teams, who were after the fugitives and their helpers[1]. His friends operated secret radio receivers, and he was well informed of the progress of war.
The Japanese government sent two Catholic priests, Monsignor Fukahori and Father Peter Komatzu, to Guam as propagandists and diplomats. Fr. Duenas refused to co-operate with them.
The Japanese suspected that Father Duenas was harboring Americans. Fr. Duenas was informed beforehand about the Japanese plans to arrest him, but he refused to run away[1]. Later, he was taken captive by the Japanese and questioned about the whereabouts of six American sailors, who had fled into the jungles. Father Duenas is said to have answered: "It is for me to know, and for you to find out."[1]. He maintained that he answered only to God and "the Japanese are not God". The Japanese beheaded him and his nephew, Edward Duenas on July 12, 1944 at Tai, Mangilao.
In early 1945, the body of Fr. Duenas was exhumed from a crude grave. When his body was buried at St. Joseph's Church in Inarajan, hundreds of people and the island's highest officials attended the cermony. The Father Duenas Memorial High School (FDMS) was established in 1948, in his memory.
