Palace cites need to ‘live in peace’ on anniversary of WWII end

Roque said the occasion should also serve as an opportunity for Filipinos to pay homage to their forebears who valiantly fought for the Philippines. (PCOO file photo)

MANILA – In observance of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, Malacañang on Saturday expressed optimism that everyone would continue to “live in peace.”

Citing the United Nations’ (UN) Charter of 1945, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it is important to “practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors; and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.”

“Today, August 15, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific,” Roque said in a press statement. “May we all have a solemn and meaningful remembrance of today’s memorable occasion.”

Roque said the occasion should also serve as an opportunity for Filipinos to pay homage to their forebears who valiantly fought for the Philippines.

He also urged them to pause and reflect the words found in the UN Charter.

Quoting the UN Charter, Roque said: “We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind; and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.”

On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces in the Pacific, ending World War II which is considered to have begun on Sept. 1, 1939, following Germany’s invasion of Poland.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 20, 2018, signed Republic Act (RA) 11164, which raises the monthly old-age pension of Filipino war veterans who fought during World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War from PHP5,000 to PHP20,000.

Under RA 11164, the pension hike is only for living veterans.

Meanwhile, family members and/or dependents of Filipino veterans are not covered by the law.