Aquino to lead National Heroes Day rites

President Benigno Aquino III will lead the commemoration of National Heroes Day at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday.

He will be joined by top government officials, ranking military officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, members of the diplomatic corps, students, and members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said in an advisory.

He will be given full military honors from the three branches of service—Philippine Army, Navy and Air Force.

National Heroes Day, a national holiday in the Philippines, is celebrated every last Monday of August to pay tribute to Filipino heroes, especially the ones who died in combat or while performing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

Meanwhile, this week (Aug. 24-31) sees the observance of the first ever Armed Forces of the Filipino People Week.

It is in accordance with Republic Act No. 10664 which commemorates the event during the last full week of August starting this year.

The law was approved by Aquino on July 6 “to give due recognition to the important role and contribution of past and present Filipino military officers and personnel.”

On Saturday and Sunday, the AFP will hold a live band concert at Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City, and set up a recruitment booth for aspiring soldiers. Frances Mangosing/RC