Duterte to attend Independence Day rites on Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will physically attend the Independence Day commemoration on June 12, which will be held outside Metro Manila, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque did not divulge any more details as to the event for “security reasons.”

“Dadalo in person ang Presidente sa komemorasyon ng ating Independence Day, ito ay sa labas ng Metro Manila but I’m not at liberty to say for security reasons,” he said in a Palace briefing.

(The President will personally attend the commemoration of Independence Day, which will be held outside Metro Manila, but I’m not at liberty to say [other information] for security reasons.)

“Ang mensahe natin talagang ang Pilipino, sa mula’t mula ay iaalay ang buhay para sa kalayaan ng inang bayan,” he added.

(Our message is that Filipinos, even from the start, are ready to lay down their lives for the freedom of the nation.)

President Duterte skipped last year’s Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park to avoid drawing crowds that may lead to the spread of the new coronavirus.

JPV