Duterte pays tribute to country’s national heroes

FILE PHOTO/ President Rodrigo Duterte (PNA PHOTO)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, August 27, paid homage to the country’s national heroes recognizing their contributions to nation building and independence.

In his National Heroes Day message, President Duterte urged the Filipinos to honor the nation’s heroes by emulating them.

“Today, we pay homage to the men and women who helped lay the foundations of this nation. Their courage, leadership and wisdom paved the way for us to enjoy the blessings of freedom, independence and democracy,” the President said.

“They have dedicated their lives to ensure that future generations will have a life that is full and comfortable,” he added.

“Let us honor them by upholding the rule of law, protecting our nation and fostering goodwill among ourselves. We will harness the same virtues as we continue to fight against lawlessness, criminality and poverty that hinders us from achieving our full potential,” he further said.

The President said the country will be forever grateful to noble deeds and sacrifices of the national heroes.

“As we commemorate the life and works of our national heroes, we must continue to embrace their ways in our daily undertakings. Let us emulate their examples as we continue to realize our ideals and aspirations for ourselves and for our country,” he said.

The country will commemorate the National Heroes Day on Monday, August 28.

Also on Sunday, Malacañan congratulated all the Filipino athletes who won and brought honor to the country in the Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games) in Kuala Lumpur.

“The whole country cheered when Team Pilipinas Gilas Men’s Basketball Team unleashed their top form and once again asserted our basketball supremacy in Southeast Asia by clinching the gold last night,” according to the statement of Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella read over Radyo Pilipinas.

“Kiyomi Watanabe and the Philippine taekwondo poomsae team composed of Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Dustin Jacob Mella and Raphael Mella likewise got gold in the 63kg division in women’s judo and taekwondo male poomsae, respectively,” he added.

Abella encouraged Filipinos to continue supporting the athletes competing in the SEA Games in Malaysia.

The Philippines now has 18 gold, 25 silver and 47 bronze medals, as of August 26, 11 p.m.

On the burial of Kian delos Santos, Abella said the public must allow “the law to take its due course.”

He noted that authorities are already investigating the killing of delos Santos.

“A criminal complaint against the Caloocan policemen involved in the incident has already been filed. Investigation is now in process. Let us allow the law to take its due course,” Abella said. (PND)