Army chief leads Veterans' Week rites at Libingan ng mga Bayani

MANILA, Philippines - Army commander Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista led the sunrise and wreath-laying ceremonies yesterday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio to start off the celebration of the Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans’ Week.

The sunrise ceremony allowed veterans to honor their dead comrades with flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Military and defense officials, war veterans and their families participated in the activity that began at 6 a.m.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bautista said Filipinos can look back to the heroism of their forbearers.

“Today’s and the following days’ activities make us witnesses to history and inspire us as well as our children with the change of history that the nation obtained from the priceless sacrifice of our veterans,” he said.

“Some of these veterans have passed on and yet their patriotism and heroic legacy live on.”

Members of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of the Philippines made a floral offering to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Armed Forces Civil Relations Service chief Maj. Gen. Rolando Tenefrancia said retirees and veterans have dedicated years of their lives and strength in noble and selfless service to the country and to the Filipino people.

“As such, we should not only treat them with honor and respect but also support them in their retirement and old age,” he said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led the wreath-laying ceremony culminating with a flower drop during which red rose petals were scattered from a hovering helicopter.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gazmin said Filipinos enjoy the blessings of liberty today because of the bravery of soldiers who had fought invaders.

“We thank them once more for their deep love of the lofty ideals of freedom and democracy,” he said.

“We therefore join on this very special day to pay homage to both our living and fallen heroes – the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor without doubt.”

Gazmin’s father, Capt. Segundo Gazmin Sr. survived the Bataan death march. He died two years ago.

Gazmin said the government is looking for ways to settle the multi-billion-peso pension backlog for the military retirees.

“When President Aquino assumed the presidency, he declared that the government must pay the veterans what is due them,” he said.

“We are sourcing out funds in order to pay and settle these financial obligations to our veterans.”

Gazmin said the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), headed by retired Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, is doing everything to provide efficient service to veterans and their families.– With Aie Balagtas See, Jaime Laude