President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday the ordinary Filipinos working hard for the welfare of their families and the betterment of their country should be honored.
“Let us honor ordinary Filipinos who, despite the challenges that come their way, continue to work for the well-being of their families, the betterment of their communities and the advancement of our nation,” Duterte said in a speech during the National Heroes Day rites at the Heroes’ Cemetery.
In other developments:
• Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday gave the migrant Filipino workers and soldiers special recognition as modern-day heroes.
In her National Heroes’ Day message, Robredo praised the great sacrifice of migrant Filipinos in leaving their families behind to seek greener pastures to improve the lives of their children and relatives and the soldiers for ensuring the safety of the country.
“I truly thank our [migrant workers] for their sacrifices. They have to endure being away from the country to give their families a better life,” Robredo said.
“I also salute our soldiers for risking their lives to ensure that we are safe. We are with you in our prayers for your protection while you perform your duty.”
• Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday cited the need to celebrate heroism in its smaller, everyday forms.
“The office worker, local entrepreneur, teacher, artist or [migrant worker] who toils hard to earn a decent living for one’s family while also assisting others is no less a hero as a soldier who dies for flag and country,” Pimentel said.
He also said being a diligent student, a dependable parent or a law-abiding citizen required equal parts nobility of character and determination to achieve either a personal or collective goal, which were no less heroic acts.
Duterte said the country’s unnamed heroes were the ones that the youth needed to look up to.
“Let us continue to emulate their selfless ways in our daily endeavors as we effect lasting change across the nation and create a legacy upon which future generations can build on,” Duterte said in a message sent to reporters.
Speaking in front of World War II veterans, government officials and diplomats, Duterte talked about the heroism of soldiers who fought the insurgencies in the country, especially in Marawi.
“We honor our brave troops who gallantly sacrificed their lives to defeat communist insurgents, Islamic separatists and other threats to our sovereignty, especially those who took part in the successful liberation of Marawi from the clutches of terrorism and extremism,” Duterte said.
“We honor our volunteers who, despite the risks to their lives and safety, have dedicated their precious time and resources to [rebuild] and bring back the once thriving and prosperous city back to its former glory.”
Duterte also honored the police officers continuing the campaign against illegal drugs, emphasizing that they had made the country safer and more conducive for growth and development.
He also paid tribute to the teachers and migrant workers who continue to contribute to the development of the country in their own selfless ways.
He hoped that the Filipinos would unite to honor the “extraordinary sacrifices” of today’s heroes.
“[Let us] celebrate their extraordinary feats and love of country. May we be further inspired to embody the ideals and values that they stood up for,” he said.
“Let us all become worthy heirs to their legacy so that we may leave behind to the succeeding generations of Filipinos a nation that they will also proudly give up their lives for.” With Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta