Duterte skips Bonifacio Day ceremony

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte had to deal with "problem of insurgency" and could not attend the Bonifacio Day ceremonies on Friday, said Malacañang.

According to a report by News5, Duterte could not attend the ceremonies at the Andres Bonifacio monument in Caloocan City as presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that he "has to fly to Mindanao to attend to the problem of insurgency in Mindanao."

Hindi makakadalo si Pres. Duterte sa seremonya para sa Araw ni Bonifacio sa Caloocan mamaya. pic.twitter.com/dA9OZ7QreY

— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) November 30, 2018

The entire region of Mindanao is under martial law until the end of the year.

Panelo added that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea would attend on behalf of the president.

The country is commemorating the 155th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on Friday.

Members of the Metro Manila West Scout commemorate the 155th birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City. pic.twitter.com/XqHXvDCbNL

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) November 30, 2018

Duterte, with National Historical Commission of the Philippines head Rene Escalante and Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., are supposed to lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City. 

The theme of this year’s anniversary is “Bonifacio 2018: Tapang, Sakripisyo, Pagbabago.”

Bonifacio, dubbed as the father of the Philippine revolution, was born on Nov. 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila.

He was one of the founders of the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, a group who fought for the Philippines’ independence from Spain. 

He was executed by fellow Filipinos who accused him of sedition in 1987. — Kristine Joy Patag