Duterte to lead 124th Independence Day commemoration in Manila

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal as part of the 121st Philippine Independence Day celebration at the 6th Infantry Battalion Grounds in Malabang, Lanao del Sur on June 12, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the 124th Independence Day commemoration in the City of Manila on Sunday, June 12.

According to an advisory released by Malacañang’s Media Accreditation and Relations Office on Thursday, the president will attend the Independence Day anniversary at the Rizal Park in the morning.

Ahead of the commemoration, Duterte called on Filipinos to “take heart all the learnings from the past.”

“This occasion is a testament to how our forefathers fought for the freedoms that we enjoy today. May it inspire us to take after the courage of our heroes as well as encourage us to use our ability, skills, and knowledge for the benefit of our community,” he said in a message during the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.’s celebration of Independence Day and Philippines-China Friendship Day on Wednesday.

“Take heart all the learnings from the past, especially the countless hardships that we had to endure as a people,” the chief executive continued.

Aside from the Independence Day celebration, the outgoing president will take part in two more events on Sunday.

EDV