ZAMBOANGA CITY — The public, especially the young generation, have been urged to continue honoring the Filipino soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, made the call on Monday as the country commemorates the 76th “Araw ng Kagitingan” marking the fall of Bataan during World War II.
“As we celebrate the different faces of heroism today, let us continue to honor the valor and the bravery of the Filipino soldiers and those who fought for the country’s liberation and freedom,” Galvez said in his keynote speech during the commemoration program here.
Galvez said that April 9 is a day to remember the World War II (WWII) veterans since “we owe them the breath of freedom and democracy that we are enjoying today.”
“Let us remember our recent battlefield victories and achievements that are attributed to the sacrifices of those who dared to bleed,” Galvez said.
“This is a time of remembrance and we recall those who have gone ahead of us and those who died a very dignified death,” he added.
Galvez noted that the captured soldiers, who made their last stand in Bataan 76 years ago, “stood strong and heroes emerged from the event” despite their surrender to the Japanese imperial forces.
“Without this stand, the Japanese might have quickly overrun all of the US bases in the Pacific,” Galvez said.
“(The battle of) Bataan forced them (Japanese forces) to slow down, giving the allies valuable time to prepare for future great battles, such as the battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway,” he added.
The American and Filipino soldiers eventually retook Bataan Peninsula on February 8, 1945.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has paid tribute to the WWII veterans as well as the modern day heroes.
Salazar defines modern day heroes as those who sacrificed their lives during the 21-day 2013 Zamboanga siege and the five-month battle in Marawi City last year.
The “Araw ng Kagitingan” is celebrated as a national memorial day for the brave souls who fought during the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 during the World War II.
It also pays respect and tribute to the many civilian men who died in the tragic Death March which started from Bataan and ended in Tarlac.
April 9 is a national holiday in the Philippines. (PNA)
