Recall soldiers’ sacrifice, continue fight for freedom, democracy — senators
MANILA, Philippines — Celebrating this year’s “Araw ng Kagitingan,” senators urged Filipinos to continue the fight for freedom and democracy as they remember the sacrifices made by soldiers.
Senator Joel Villanueva said the celebration should serve as a reminder to continue fighting for liberty and democracy, and that Filipinos should also make sacrifices for the betterment of the country.
“Nawa’y magsilbing paalala sa ating lahat ang espesyal na araw na ito upang patuloy na ipaglaban ang ating kasarinlan at demokrasya laban sa mga potensyal na banta sa ating soberanya,” Villanueva said in a statement.
“Dalangin ko rin na magsilbi ang araw na ito upang maisapuso ng bawat isa ang mag-sakripisyo para sa bayan at patuloy na magkaisa para sa ikabubuti at ikauunlad ng sambayanang Pilipino,” he added.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also encouraged Filipinos to be courageous, resilient and to fight bravely for their country.
“There are moments in history when we as a people are called upon to exhibit courage and resilience, to stand bravely and fight… Now is such a moment,” she said in a Twitter post.
There are moments in history when we as a people are called upon to exhibit courage and resilience, to stand bravely and fight.
Now is such a moment.
Isang makabuluhang #ArawNgKagitingan, mga mahal kong kababayan!
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) April 9, 2019
Detained Senator Leila de Lima, meanwhile, urged Filipinos to draw strength and courage from war heroes and veterans to fight for the oppression and abuses under the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Sa ating pagbabalik-tanaw at pagsasabuhay sa mga aral ng Araw ng Kagitingan, suriin din natin ang ginagawang kapabayaan ng gobyerno para ipagwalang bahala ang sakripisyo ng magigiting na Pilipino, iparamdam sa kanila ang ating pagkadismaya, at matinding hangarin para sa tunay na pagbabago,” she said in a statement.
Senators Nancy Binay and Bam Aquino also recognized the sacrifice of Filipinos who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country’s liberty.
“Sa araw na ito, sinasaludo at inaalala natin ang mga nagbigay ng pinakamataas na sakripisyo para sa ating kasarinlan,” Binay said in a Twitter post.
“Isang pagpupugay at pagkilala sa mga bayaning nakipaglaban para sa demokrasya at kalayaan ng Pilipinas noong World War II,” Aquino also said in a tweet.
Sa araw na ito, sinasaludo at inaalala natin ang mga nagbigay ng pinakamataas na sakripisyo para sa ating kasarinlan.
Mabuhay ang kalayaan! Mabuhay ang ating mga beterano! #ArawNgKagitingan pic.twitter.com/5jb3f2qeUW
— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) April 9, 2019
Isang pagpupugay at pagkilala sa mga bayaning nakipaglaban para sa demokrasya at kalayaan ng Pilipinas noong World War II. #ArawNgKagitingan #DayOfValor pic.twitter.com/e4zLs9FLqF
— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) April 8, 2019
For his part, Senator Francis Pangilinan noted the bravery of Filipinos who fought the Japanese during World War II.
“Magiting ang mga taong marunong magmahal sa bayan at ipagtanggol ang kapakanan nito at hindi ang kapakanan ng dayuhan,” he said in a statement.
“Magiting ang mga ninuno natin na nagmahal sa Inang Bayan at ipinaglaban ito sa pananakop at pagmamalabis ng mga Hapon sa mga Pilipino,” Pangilinan added.
Senator Cynthia Villar, meanwhile, expressed hope that the sacrifice and bravery of soldiers will inspire the Filipino youth as they commemorate “Araw ng Kagitingan.”
“Let’s remember the sacrifices of our war veterans. I hope the Filipino youth will draw inspiration from them,” she said in another Twitter post.
Ang tema ng Araw ng Kagitingan ngayong taon ay “Sakripisyo ng Beterano ay Gunitain, Gawing Tanglaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kaunlaran”. Let's remember the sacrifices of our war veterans. I hope the Filipino youth will draw inspiration from them 🧡#MisisHanepBuhay #PhilippineSenate pic.twitter.com/hndghcSHX3
— Cynthia Villar (@Cynthia_Villar) April 9, 2019
Aside from soldiers, Senator Grace Poe recognized the sacrifices of the police, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and workers.
“Sa ating mga kababayan na nagsasakripisyo, hindi lang para sa pamilya kundi para sa bayan—iyong mga nagsisilbi, iyong ating sundalo, kapulisan, OFWs, mga empleyado na araw-araw nagsisikap—ito ay para sa inyo, at ako naman po bilang tagapag-lingkod ninyo nais ko talagang bigyan ng pagkilala ang inyong sakripisyo,” Poe said in an interview with reporters in Rizal province.
In a separate Twitter post, Poe also urged Filipinos not to waste the efforts of soldiers’ in fighting for the country’s freedom.
Isang pagpupugay sa lahat ng beteranong nagsakripisyo para sa kalayaan ng ating bansa. Nawa'y maging karapat-dapat tayo sa dugo at luha nila. Huwag nating sayangin ang ipinaglaban nila. pic.twitter.com/9sqfQN453j
— GRACE POE (@SenGracePOE) April 9, 2019
Senator Sonny Angara also took to Instagram to praise and recognize soldiers who fought during the 2017 Marawi siege.
“Remembering those who defend us and have fallen while doing so; the 100+ soldiers who died and many others wounded defending Marawi alone. Saludo kami sa inyo,” Angara wrote. /muf
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