CEBU CITY – Former Sen. and Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon is seeking clarification from the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) on the ongoing construction works at the Luneta Park in Manila where the statues of Dr. Jose Rizal and Lapu-Lapu are situated.
Gordon said the NMP should explain to the public if the ongoing construction at the Luneta is just to enhance the Lapu-Lapu monument or if it will totally remove the statue.
“I don’t mind if they are going to improve it in the same spot. If they want to enhance it, I don’t mind but we don’t know. I cannot wait until it's removed and ask questions later,” Gordon said in a virtual press conference with Cebu media on Sunday, July 9.
Gordon was the Tourism Secretary when the 40-foot bronze statue known as the “Sentinel of Freedom” was built in 2005 at the Luneta Park in honor of Lapu-Lapu.
He has sent a letter to Jeremy Barns, director general of NMP, seeking clarification about the matter and explained the significance of the Lapu-Lapu monument.
“The P15-million statue was a gift to the Filipino people by the Korean Freedom League as an expression of the Korean people’s appreciation and admiration to the Filipinos who fought and died by their side in their fight for democracy,” Gordon said.
Gordon asked the NMP to “cease and desist” the construction works in the area while it has yet to thoroughly explain the project.
According to Gordon, the clearing operation in the area costs P39 million.
“I view hereof, I hereby caution to refrain from further damaging the statue. I expect nothing less than you conducting a public hearing among all the stakeholders on this very crucial and important matter without any further delay and immediately desisting from your destruction of the Lapu-Lapu monument,” said Gordon.
In his reply to Gordon, Barns said that after technical assessment as well as consultation with its sculptor, it has been found to require structural repair relative to its internal frame and foundation due primarily to exposure to elements.
But based on documents, Gordon said what will be done in the area is more than just a repair.
Gordon cited bidding documents from the Development of the National Museum Complex Manola-Phase 1 showing that the steps of Lapu-Lapu monument would undergo “dismantling, clearing, and hauling.”
He said the dismantling of the steps of the monument is already completed.
“To my mind, it was deliberately destroyed to weaken the structure – very far removed from your theory of the weakening of the base due to natural elements,” said Gordon.
Gordon said that Lapu-Lapu, who comes from Visayas and Mindanao, and Dr. Jose Rizal, who comes from Luzon, cannot be separated at the national park.
He emphasized that the current location of the Lapu-Lapu monument was carefully considered and deliberately chosen.
“Lapu-Lapu is the symbol/embodiment of what all Filipinos should be: brave and ready to stand up to those trying to bludgeon them, ready to fight for our land and stand for what is right, especially during these and future trying times,” Gordon said.
Gordon added that the NMP may have control over that particular area but under the provision of Republic Act No. 11333 or the National Museum Act of 1998, the agency “cannot just remove the monument.”
Gordon added that removing the Lapu-Lapu monument from its current location will destroy the symbolic essence of the continuous line of heroism from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“This is not merely about a monument and its location. It is about continuing to honor our country’s first known patriot and freedom fighter. It is about recognizing his example of fortitude, bravery, and integrity especially in these times of foreign and political bullying. It is about recognizing his pioneering place among the other heroes of this country that would have inspired the creation of a nation of heroes,” Gordon said.
Gordon emphasized that “I am not trying to light a fire but I am just trying to inform the public on this matter.”
“I find it disturbing and quite frankly, it affects me because all of a sudden, I hear that they are going to have a construction on the Lapu-Lapu monument and we don’t know where they are going,” the former lawmaker said.
Gordon said he was “very surprised” when he learned about the construction even if the public was not properly informed.
Cebu officials, led by Gov. Gwen Garcia, were present when the monument was inaugurated 18 years ago, Gordon said.
“The Cebuanos should know this, the other people should know this. I think it’s important that this will be discussed. I have no agenda here except to make sure we retain our respect for our history and strengthen our young people of that history,”
said Gordon.
Gordon added that it is very important that every Filipino will remember the heroism of Lapu-Lapu.
“I don't want that to be removed from the mindset of every child or every Filipino growing up in this country,” Gordon said.