AFP conducting simple rites, activities for EDSA-1 anniversary

As the nation celebrates the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power 1 on Feb. 25, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will conduct simple rites and activities in honor of the bloodless revolt. (Photo: Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy)/Facebook)

MANILA—As the nation celebrates the 31st anniversary of the EDSA People Power 1 on Feb. 25, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that it will conduct simple rites and activities in honor of the bloodless revolt.

Activities include a Catholic Mass that will be held at the Grandstand of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, which will be followed by awarding ceremonies for civilians and other stakeholders who played a valuable role during EDSA 1, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

Aside from this, a wreath-laying ceremony, spearheaded by former president Fidel Ramos, will be held at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas, Mandaluyong on Saturday.

The AFP’s commemoration of EDSA 1 formally started on the morning of Feb. 22 when a wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The flowers came from President Rodrigo Duterte, Arevalo said.

Despite the relative simplicity of this year’s rites, the AFP official said what is important is that the AFP, as ordered by its head Gen. Eduardo Año, is showing its solidarity with the people on this important historical occasion for Filipinos.