TAGUIG CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, August 27, exhorts the Filipinos to honor the national heroes by following in their footsteps.
In his National Heroes’ Day speech at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City, President Duterte paid tribute to Filipinos who breathe extraordinary heroism in facing the insurmountable odds in defense of this nation and the values it stands for.
Duterte said, “We are gathered here today not just to commemorate their sacrifices and remember their exploits but, more importantly, to emulate their selflessness and to live up to their example as we go about our daily lives.”
Furthermore, Duterte stated that, as Filipinos, we should also honor not just those heroes whose statues proudly stand along hallways and pedestals, or whose portraits were embedded in our currency and history books.
He also urged everyone to pay respect to the everyday heroes who helped us in bringing this nation together, such as the volunteers, police officers, educators, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and ordinary Filipinos, who strive to make a difference.
“These are our [every day] heroes that we need our youth to emulate and look up to,” Duterte said.
Subsequently, the Chief Executive also commended the Filipino soldiers who fought courageously to protect the public against various threat groups. “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.”
President Duterte further expressed his sincere hope that, as the country celebrates National Heroes’ Day, we also embody the ideals and values this nation’s heroes stood up for.
“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, “ he added.
Before his speech, President Duterte led the wreath-laying rites at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.
Then, during the event, the Chief Executive was joined by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Dr. Rene Escalante and Taguig Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano.
