Duterte leads rites for 501st anniversary of Victory at Mactan

CEBU CITY — President Duterte led the celebration of the 501st anniversary of the “Victory at Mactan” at the Liberty Shrine in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City on Wednesday, April 27.

In a speech delivered before city officials and guests, President Duterte recognized Lapulapu’s role in being the first Filipino to defeat invaders.

“We are fortunate enough to preserve our culture and what Lapulapu did as documented by our colonizer,” he said.

“The strong leadership of the chief of Lapulapu earned him the honor and distinction as the first Filipino hero. It is only fitting to immortalize him through a monument at the Lapu-Lapu Shrine. I hope construction will continue at the soonest possible time,” he added.

President Duterte, who repeatedly addressed Lapulapu as his “kuya” or brother, called on Filipinos to emulate and perpetuate the memory of the Mactan chieftain.

“May we appreciate our nation’s heroes even in our own small ways to show our love to our country and fellow Filipinos,” he said.

Wednesday’s event commemorated the earliest recorded indigenous Filipino resistance to foreign intervention in 1521 when Lapulapu and his men defeated the Spanish soldiers led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

A reenactment of the epic battle of Mactan was also held during the program led by the National Quincentennial Committee through the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in coordination with the Lapu-Lapu City government, and other national agencies.

Joining the President were Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, NHCP Chairman Rene R. Escalante, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.

READ: Lapulapu: Hero behind the myth