Vice President Leni Robredo (Photo from the Office of the Vice President)
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo, in her Araw ng Kagitingan message on Tuesday, asked the Filipino to draw strength and inspiration from to courage and valor of Filipino World War II veterans several decades ago in combating corruption and present threats to democracy.
Robredo noted the Filipino soldiers’ gallant stand against Japanese forces in Corregidor is proof that Filipinos will always cherish freedom.
“Ganitong katapangan ang hinihingi sa atin ng panahong ito, kung kailan napapaligiran tayo ng ibang uri ng kalaban. Matagal nang natapos ang digmaan, ngunit patuloy ang pagdurusa ng ating bayan, kaya dapat patuloy ang laban para sa isang mas magandang kinabukasan para sa lahat (This kind of bravery is what is needed now, when we are hounded by a different kind of enemy. The war is long over, but our country continues to suffer, that is why we have to keep fighting for a brighter future),” she said.
“Laban ito kontra sa gutom at kahirapan. Laban ito kontra sa abuso at katiwalian. Laban ito para sa ating demokrasya at kalayaan (This is a battle against hunger and poverty. Against abuses and wrongdoings. This a battle for our freedom and democracy),” she added.
During World War II, the Philippines — which was under American occupation — was dragged into the war against the Japanese.
As the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Luzon, the joint forces of Filipino and American soldiers were consolidated by General Douglas MacArthur in Bataan to make a last stand.
Bataan eventually fell on April 9, 1942.
Vice President heaped praises on the soldiers who stood their ground, fighting even if it meant dying on the battlefield.
“Patunay ang magiting na pagtanggol sa Bataan at Corregidor na ang Pilipino ay handang lumaban, hanggang sa huli. Kahit pa kamatayan ang maaaring maging kapalit ng ating paninindigan, handa nating ialay ang ating mga buhay sa ngalan ng ating bayan at kalayaan, The battle of Corregidor is proof that Filipinos are ready to fight to the end, even at the cost of their lives, for the sake of country and freedom),” she said.
She also stressed that courage for the soldiers did not only meant physical strength, but also mental fortitude to lead the way for other Filipinos.
Robredo graced the Araw ng Kagitingan rites at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.
President Rodrigo Duterte attended a ceremony at Camp General Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu. /gsg
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