ZAMBOANGA CITY - Zamboanga City honored the country’s veterans who fought during World War II during the city’s commemoration of the 80th Araw ng Kagitingan at the Rizal Park/ Freedom Fighters Shrine along Rizal Street Saturday morning, April 9.
The commemoration program was held with the theme,“ Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Inspirasyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino.”
In her speech, Zamboanga mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar paid tribute to the veterans, particularly 92-year-old Zamboangueño veteran Roldan Peñaranda, who gave up and risked their lives for love of country during World War II.
“Kayo po ay inspirasyon namin. Tulungan niyo po ang lungsod ng Zamboanga. Ayuda para tiene seguridad y progreso de economia (Help us for us to have security and economic progress),“ the mayor said as she addressed the crowd which included the military and the police.
The program was also attended by surviving war and post war veterans, spouses and children, officials from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office-9, Zamboanga City Veterans District, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, police and military officials.
The commemoration program for Araw ng Kagitingan was held for the first time after a two-year hiatus brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.