Uphold Philippine sovereignty, protect rights – Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte urged Filipinos yesterday to uphold the country’s sovereignty and protect hard-won rights even as he skipped yesterday’s rites commemorating the heroism of World War II veterans during the Fall of Bataan in 1942.

“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,” Duterte declared in a written message released by Malacañang.

The President’s statement was issued amid calls by concerned groups that the government should assert its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte urged Filipinos not to forget “the sacrifices of our forefathers, who fought to defend the country.”  

Some 76,000 soldiers surrendered to Japanese troops in the Fall of Bataan and were forced to walk 140 kilometers in what is known as the Death March to Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac.

Between 5,000 to 10,000 Filipinos and hundreds of American prisoners of war died due to dehydration, heat exhaustion and untreated wounds or were executed during the march. 

Japan has said it has learned its lessons from World War II.

Duterte was absent during the annual commemoration rites at Mount Samat Shrine in Bataan. 

He was scheduled to mark Araw ng Kagitingan at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista headquarters in Barangay Busbus, Jolo, Sulu yesterday afternoon.

“I join our veterans, allies and the rest of the Filipino people in commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan,” Duterte said.

Duterte said the nation remembers the “heroism of the brave Filipino and American soldiers who stood side by side in the mountains and jungles of Bataan in defense of our liberty and democracy.”

“We also remember the countless civilians who aided our forces so they could offer a valiant defense against the overwhelming force of the enemy,” he said. 

“We may not be able to memorialize all of them but we will forever remember and honor their epic struggle and unshakeable fortitude,” the President added.

For his part, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace joins the President and the rest of the Filipino people in paying tribute to the heroism of the fallen soldiers as well as honoring the surviving members of the Bataan Death March.  

“These Filipino fighters demonstrated the highest form of love of country when they offered their lives in the liberation of the Philippines during World War II,” Panelo said.

“Heroism, however, is no longer confined to valor in combat or physical courage. In this day and age, heroes can be the teachers whose devotion to their noble profession shapes the future of the nation, the police officers who lose their lives in the war against illegal drugs,” he added.

Panelo said he also sees heroes in government workers who work overtime and refuse to engage in bribery or corruption or the Filipino scientists who conduct the first scientific research in the Philippine Rise.  

“Indeed, the modern-day Filipino hero of today can be anyone who serves as an inspiration by going above and beyond the call of duty and whose positive influence is worthy of emulation in making a difference in our society,” he said.

Fight vs drugs, crime, poverty

“Let (Araw ng Kagitingan) serve as a motivation to all as our nation strives to continue to win the battle against drugs, crime, corruption, poverty and terrorism,” Panelo said.

The Palace urged every Filipino to work together for the progress of the country by putting aside partisan politics that divide the nation.

“Let it also inspire us to unite for the betterment of our country and people; to set aside our differences; to throw to the dustbin partisan politics that only disrupts and destroys our march to progress,” Panelo said.

The chief presidential counsel also called on every individual to join “hands in love and compassion and raise our voice in unison as we pray to the Almighty that we be showered as a people with blessings and peace in our hearts that we may achieve equanimity and spirituality that have become elusive.”

‘Bravery is needed’

For her part, Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday that greater bravery is needed from Filipinos now, amid continuing threats to the country’s sovereignty and democracy.

“This is the kind of bravery that is needed from us now when we are surrounded by different kinds of enemies,” she said in Filipino.

“This is the fight against hunger and poverty. This is the fight against abuse and corruption. This is the fight for our democracy and freedom,” she said.

Robredo was the highest official who attended the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan yesterday morning.

The Vice President issued the statement days after Duterte warned of declaring a revolutionary government and suspending the writ of habeas corpus and arrest of his critics.

Robredo also emphasized the importance of sacrificing oneself without expecting anything in return.

“Because to fight for fellow Filipinos is more than enough. It’s the kind of bravery that is natural to us,” she said.

In a Twitter post yesterday, the Vice President said Filipinos throughout history have fought conquerors and abusive regimes.

She said Filipinos should also bear in mind that the Philippines is a cradle of courageous people.

Pension hike

An administration lawmaker is pushing for the grant of a P3,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension of war veterans as well as health insurance coverage and other benefits for Filipino comfort women. 

“We hope that we can get this proposal passed in the next Congress so that they could at least live a little more comfortably in their remaining years,” Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said. 

Under House Bill 9047 that Villafuerte authored, the monthly pension will be granted directly to the war veteran, if he is still living. Upon his death or incapacity, the pension will be released to the surviving spouse and after the latter’s death or incapacity, to the eldest legitimate child. 

“This proposal aims to express the country’s gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives for our freedom” like those who joined World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, he said. 

Another bill that Villafuerte authored is House Bill 9046 seeking the grant of a P3,000 monthly pension for Filipino comfort women. It also provides free full Philippine Health Insurance Corp. coverage for them. 

Villafuerte wants the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women to authenticate the identities and claims of Filipino comfort women to ensure that they get to enjoy while they still can their long-overdue pension, health insurance and other benefits. – With Edith Regalado, Helen Flores, Delon Porcalla