Vice President Sara Duterte marked this year’s Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) with a heartfelt call for national unity, urging Filipinos to honor the heroes of World War II by working toward a future free from the suffering of the past.
In her message for the 83rd commemoration of the Fall of Bataan, Duterte reflected on the bravery shown by Filipino soldiers during World War II, particularly during the harrowing Battle of Bataan. She said their courage stands as a lasting symbol of the Filipino spirit amid times of oppression.
“Today, as we face new challenges that test our unity and progress as a nation, may the heroism of our forebears inspire every Filipino to keep moving forward,” she said.
She emphasized that the triumph of hope in Bataan should guide the country’s path forward. “Let us honor their memory by building a nation that will never again endure such pain and hardship,” she added.
Araw ng Kagitingan is observed every April 9 to commemorate the Fall of Bataan in 1942 and to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of Filipino and American soldiers who fought to defend the Philippines during World War II.