Duterte urges Filipinos to help ‘alleviate the suffering of others’

President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to become advocates of peace and solidarity and help the nation “in alleviating the suffering of others” in his message on the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“We Filipinos welcome the month of November with open hearts as we remember our saints and our dearly departed loved ones, whose lives have deeply inspired us to grow in faith, hope and love. We are reminded that, even in death, our bonds with them remain,” Duterte said in his message Thursday.

He called on “the entire nation to honor those who have gone before us in the grace of God.”

“Their legacy remains an important part of who we are today and we have much to gain from their virtuous example. May their deeds inspire us to become advocates of peace and solidarity as we do our part in building our nation and in alleviating the suffering of others,” he said.

“Together, let us emulate our saints, pray for the eternal repose of souls and deepen our engagement with our communities as we work for real and lasting change,” he added.

The President is scheduled on Thursday to conduct an aerial inspection in Isabela province, which was hardest hit by Typhoon “Rosita.”

He is also expected to visit the landslide site in Natonin, Mountain Province where at least 15 people were left dead after a landslide buried the Department of Public Works and Highways building there. /je