MORE INTIMATE After skipping the morning rites marking National Heroes’ Day on Monday, President Duterte arrives at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City for a less crowded, late-night commemoration at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte made a nighttime visit to Libingan ng mga Bayani to honor the country’s heroes in what may be the first such act by a leader of the nation.
After skipping a wreath-laying ceremony for National Heroes’ Day on Monday morning, the President arrived around 11 p.m., lighted candles and offered a prayer at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
In one of the photos of his visit released by Malacañang on Tuesday, te President was seen wearing a casual shirt and pants, and a dark jacket and standing solemnly in front of the tomb with his longtime aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, and military officials behind him.
The President skipped the customary morning rites to rest because he was “not feeling well” after a very busy weekend of paperwork and private meetings, including one with members to the Moro National Liberation Front, according to Go.
The senator, however, said there was nothing to worry about the 74-year-old President’s health.
Palace explains anew
The President was represented at the morning ceremony by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo had defended the President’s absence by saying he was a “night person.”
In his message for the occasion released by Malacañang, Mr. Duterte urged Filipinos to be “everyday heroes” by “uplifting the welfare of the poor and marginalized.”
Before praying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he visited separately the wakes of 2nd Lt. Geroe Jade Nicor, Crispin Moro and Honorato Ferrer, also at Libingan.
Slain officer honored
He offered sympathies to the family of Nicor, 25, who was killed in an encounter with communist rebels on Aug. 23 in Calbayog City, Samar province, and conferred on the Army officer the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Kalasag.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to people in the government or the private sector who rendered extraordinary service or made exceptional contributions to the success of the President’s campaign or advocacy. The Kalasag Medal is given to people who lost their lives as a result of their participation in an activity related to the President’s campaign.
Malacañang gave no details on Moro and Ferrer.