Mactan-Cebu International Airport will soon be renamed Lapu-Lapu airport in honor of the man President Duterte describes as the country’s first hero.
Mr. Duterte told reporters on Monday he had supported the bid of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to rename the Mactan airport Lapu-Lapu airport.
The President reminded that Lapu-Lapu was the one who fought off and killed Spanish invaders, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Magellan’s Visayan killer
He said Magellan was the “first” foreign invader to set foot on the country and that Lapu-Lapu, a Visayan, killed him.
“Why is [Magellan] more honored in this country?” the President said after leading the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
He also lamented as “crazy” the fact that Lapu-Lapu was more known as a fish.
In his speech, Mr. Duterte said “history has forgotten” Lapu-Lapu, who, he said was the country’s “first hero.” —CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO