source: manila bulletin
PILAR, Bataan, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III paid tribute to the “nameless heroes” of World War II during the observance of the 69th anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) on top of Mt. Samat this town on Saturday.
The President arrived some 30 minutes late into the 9 a.m. scheduled start of the program as he had to travel by land instead of taking a helicopter ride from his hometown Tarlac because of thick layers of fog that enveloped Mt. Samat.
Despite the bad weather on the mountain top, a number of war veterans, students, and teachers still attended the event that was also witnessed by local officials, the military and the Cabinet, and members of the Diplomatic Corps led by United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura.
The President was given full military honors with a 21-gun salute by the military which was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Colonnade.
“There are the named, and there are the nameless. Today, we gather to pay tribute to our unsung heroes,” Aquino said as he honored the heroes who gave up their lives for the country to achieve freedom but unlike Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Diego Silang, Emilio Aguinaldo, and Miguel Malvar were not given their monuments and other mementos.
Apart from marking the Araw ng Kagitingan, the country is also celebrating the Philippine Veterans Week.
“Three generations after the war, we are still trying our best to show our gratitude by taking care of our veterans and their families. More than seven decades after, we still remember your sacrifices, because your heroism stands the test of time; and for that, we remain eternally indebted to all of you,” he said as he enumerated the medical benefits the government through the Veterans Memorial Medical Center is giving the war veterans.
Aquino said that the memorandum of agreement signed by the Department of National Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), and PhilHealth would grant health insurance to qualified veterans. The Department of National Defense (DND) allotted P1 million for the program, he said.
Aquino assured that PVAO had instituted measures so the pension system would only benefit legitimate war veterans and not the so-called “ghost veterans” or “ghost pensioners.”
P4-B savings
“Through a Direct Remittance Pension Servicing System, we were able to speed up the remittance of the pension,” he said of the pension system, which has resulted in P4 billion savings for the government.
Ironically, the pension system was instituted during the time of former President, now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whom Aquino loves to lambast for her alleged anomalies.
“We were able to help more or less 30,000 World War II veterans in 2009,” he related.
Aquino said the new generation has a lot to learn from the war veterans, especially in battling corruption and poverty.
“We would do well to emulate the spirit of service that they exhibited, especially now that we are facing new foes: Corruption and poverty,” the President said.
“Our triumph in this new battle is hinged on whether or not we can display the same bravery our heroes displayed back then,” he added.
The President also paid tribute to the US and Japan which the Philippines had conflict with in the past.
“But since then, our country has had no greater friends than the United States and Japan,” he said.
Japan apologizes anew
On the same occasion, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura thanked Filipinos for their help to the victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit some parts of the Land of the Rising Sun last month as he again apologized for the destruction the Japanese military inflicted to the Philippines during World War II.
Katsura, in his speech here, said he deeply appreciates the sympathies extended by Filipinos to the earthquake and tsunami victims.
“First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the heartfelt messages and condolences which the President and many people of the Philippines have extended to the victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the Northeastern part of Japan last March,” Katsura said.
Courage of Filipinos hailed
On the other hand, United States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., trying his best to speak in Filipino, said he salutes “all World War II heroes who have perished for their bravery, valor, and sacrifices for their countries.”
We are here today to commemorate and honor the bravery of the soldiers who suffered and died before both here and on the road to Camp O’Donnell nearly 70 years ago. We are here to praise their courage in resisting overwhelming force beyond the expectations of their commanders. We are here to recognize their strength and fortitude in enduring a tortuous march in prison. And we are here today from our collective past and commit to a better future,” said Thomas whose father served in the Philippines after the great war guarding prisoners.
“He (Thomas’ father) told us of his admiration for the Filipino military with whom he served,” he said.
source: manila bulletin
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