Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte believes Filipinos must focus on what each of them can do for the Philippines so the country can move forward to achieve progress faster.

In her message during the Naval Special Operations Command’s 66th founding year celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, Duterte said she doesn’t think it’s difficult for every citizen to show love for the country.

“Minsan, may nabasa ako. Ang sabi niya mahirap daw pong mahalin ang Pilipinas. Ang sabi ko (I once read something. He said it’s hard to love the Philippines. I said) that’s not true. At isa kayo...ang makakapagpatotoo, (And you’re one of those who can testify it’s not true),” she said in her speech, a copy of which was sent to the media.

The Vice President explained that if every Filipino will love the Philippines, the country can achieve greater heights.

“Naniniwala po kasi ako na kapag napag-alab natin sa puso ng bawat Pilipino ang pagmamahal sa bayan — ang pagiging tunay na makabansa, ang pagiging tunay na makabayan — maitatawid natin ang Pilipinas. Makakaraos tayo. Uunlad tayo (I believe that if every Filipino will be passionate about loving our country—being a true patriot—we can improve the Philippines. We will survive. We will progress),” she said.

Members of the Philippine Navy, particularly those from the Naval Special Operations Command, received praises from Duterte for their patriotism and heroism.

In previous years, she noted how they were instrumental in several of the government’s counter-terrorism operations, among which was against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“The Philippines and the Filipino people are lucky to experience your patriotism, your love — one that is without condition, one that expects nothing in return, and one that is saddled with so many sacrifices,” she said.

The lady official also said she wished many more Filipino youth would join any branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other allied security forces.

“Alam ninyo, ang isa sa mga pangarap ko ay sana mas maraming kabataang Pilipino ang pumasok sa (You know, one of my dreams is that more young Filipinos join the) Philippine Navy o anumang sangay ng (or any branch of the) Armed Forces of the Philippines o maging sa (or in the) Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP),” she said.

Duterte stressed her respect for the members of the country’s security front stemmed from their courage and love of country.

“Isa itong uri ng pagmamahal na hindi namamatay sa panahon na nahaharap tayo sa pagsubok (This is a kind of love that will not die in a time we are facing trials),” she said.

“Isa itong pagmamahal na mas nag-aalab at mas umiinit sa tuwing tayo ay nakakaranas ng kahirapan (This love becomes more intense every time we experience hardships),” she added.

The Vice President also emphasized the need to provide necessary support and training to the soldiers of the Naval Special Operations Command that would improve their skills and capacities in responding to security threats.

“We hope to continue to foster greater cooperation and strengthen security ties with other nations as we maintain that the Philippines is a friend to everyone,” she said.