On Day of Valor, Duterte urges public to be steadfast in upholding sovereignty

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to be “steadfast” in upholding the country’s sovereignty and protecting the rights of people as various groups protested his pivot to China during the celebration of Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) Tuesday.

In his Day of Valor message, the chief executive remembered the heroism of Filipino and American soldiers who defended the country during World War II and the civilians who aided them.

“We may not be able to memorize all of them but we will forever remember and honor their epic struggle and unshakeable fortitude,” Duterte said.

He added: “As we hold this solemn observance, it is my hope that we will all be inspired to remain steadfast like our forefathers and their allies in upholding our sovereignty and in protecting the rights and freedoms that our people enjoy today.”

Also on the Day of Valor, individuals—including senatorial bets Neri Colmenares, Chel Diokno and Leody De Guzman—trooped in front of Chinese Embassy in Makati, decrying what they call China’s incursion of Philippine territories in the West Philippine Sea.

“Duterte has betrayed the sacrifices of our heroes in fighting for independence and national sovereignty. His defeatist and mendicant foreign policy has emboldened China to treat the West Philippine Sea as its own, with utter disregard for our rights and dignity as a nation,” Colmenares said in a statement.

He added: “By accepting arms and military equipment from China for use against our own people and by agreeing to onerous loan agreements, Duterte has literally been bought by China. We Filipinos will literally have to stand up for ourselves.”

Last week, Duterte shielded China from criticisms, saying it only wants to be friends with the Philippines and is not asking for an inch of the country’s territory in exchange for loans and grants.

Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has warned about China leading the Philippines into a debt trap, while former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and former foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario have asked the International Criminal Court to conduct a preliminary examination into China’s massive island-building activities in the disputed waters.

Several quarters also have raised alarm over loan deals with China for the construction of the Kaliwa Dam project and the Chico River Pump Irrigation project. — Gaea Katreena Cabico