Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan
April 9, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the 75th commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan and Veterans Week at the Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.

This is his first observance of such an occasion as the country’s Chief Executive.

During the event, the President offered a wreath at the Dambana ng Kagitingan together with H.E. Kazuhide Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, and Mr. Michael Klecheski, Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America to the Philippines.

In his message, President Duterte called on all Filipinos, especially the youth, to honor and show respect to the war veterans who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s defense in times of war. He stressed that the country can “never repay them enough.”

He hailed the Filipino war veterans who fought without hesitation for the country’s liberty, those who endured and died in the Death March on April 1942, and those who persevered throughout enemy occupation in the Philippines.

During the program, President Duterte awarded the winners of the National Essay Writing, National Photography Competition, and the Oratorical Contest. He was also presented with the 75th Araw ng Kagitingan commemorative stamp from Postmaster General and CEO Joel Otarra.

This year’s 75th commemoration has the theme, ‘75th Year of Valor: Honoring the Veterans Towards A Nation Worthy of Filipinos, Filipinos Worthy of the Nation.”

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