Heroes Day: Rody extols frontliners

PRESIDENT Duterte yesterday led the country in honoring and recognizing all Filipino frontliners helping battle the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the country and abroad.

In a video message played during the National Heroes Day ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, Duterte said this year’s event not only pays tribute to the country’s national heroes and forebears who fought for the country’s freedom,” but also to the heroism of those “who risked their lives, fighting a different kind of enemy” during the present time.

“Present day challenges posed by the current public health crisis has given rise to modern day heroes: the countless Filipino frontliners here and abroad who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that the bravery of our Filipino heroes, past and present, will inspire us all to face and overcome even the most unfavorable situations,” he said.

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Similar messages were voiced out by Vice President Leni Robredo, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other key officials of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.

“We honor today the many heroes who struggled, fought, sacrificed for our nation; who spoke truth to power and braved death or persecution; who exhibited courage, and in so doing, helped chart our destiny as a people,” Robredo said.

“As we face COVID-19 and its terrible effects, the spirit of our heroes lives within each of us, especially those in the frontlines of pandemic response: Medical professionals, community leaders, government workers and those from the uniformed services, volunteers, and the common Filipino ready and willing to expand the reach of their compassion,” she added.

In another National Heroes’ Day message, Duterte urged everyone to become “everyday heroes” by emulating the examples of both modern day heroes and the national heroes that fought foreign invaders in the past.

He expressed hope that “their courage, bravery and indomitable spirit will continue to inspire us to uphold our democratic institutions and rally against all threats to our freedom and sovereignty.”

“In honor of our heroes, let us strengthen our resolve in overcoming the challenges ahead guided by the virtues and standards set by the stalwarts of our nation,” he said.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay represented the President during the National Heroes’ Day commemoration and wreath laying ceremony.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in separate National Heroes’ Day messages, also recognized the frontliners from the medical professionals and security forces to the teachers, government employees and private sector workers who contributed to the maintaining of peace and order and observance of lockdowns as well as those that kept the economy running during these trying times.

“What the pandemic made us realize is that every Filipino is a hero, and your daily sacrifice and hard work for family and country is worth celebrating and emulating. Heroism is more effective as a collective effort because we share common goals, aspirations and challenges.

We should continue dreaming and working together. We need to support each other as one Filipino nation, in deeds big and small,” Nograles said.

Lorenzana and the task force officials said the medical frontliners “have made every conceivable sacrifice to ensure the health and safety of the Filipino people” in the fight against the coronavirus disease.

“For the past six months, our doctors, nurses, military and police personnel and civil servants have been at the forefront of our nation’s battle against the deadly disease. We know how your jobs have taken a heavy toll on your physical and mental well-being,” the officials added.

In a separate statement as Defense secretary, Lorenzana said: “Today, we commemorate and celebrate the bravery, heroism, and patriotism of our heroes, the men and women before us, who have lived and died in service to our country to build a just, peaceful and prosperous nation.”

Lorenzana said the deeds of the country’s heroes “set into motion the emergence of a national consciousness that enabled us to evolve as a free and sovereign nation.”

“We likewise owe a debt of gratitude to our present heroes – our brave frontliners, the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, and selfless citizens who continue to serve the country amid the challenges and threats we are currently facing,” said Lorenzana.

Gapay thanked medical practitioners, law enforcers, government employees and others, who he called “heroes of our time, for performing their duties despite the threat of COVID-19.

“Our whole nation is profoundly grateful to all of you for giving the Filipino people a fighting chance and a glimmer of hope against this pandemic,” said Gapay. — With Victor Reyes and Ashzel Hachero 

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