House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Thursday, March 6 joined the Marcos administration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in mourning the death of two pilots, whose FA-50 jet fighter plane crashed in Bukidnon province.

Romualdez also condoled with the pilots’ families, and said the pilots’ sacrifice reminds the nation of the need for unity.

“Sila ay hindi lamang mga sundalo; sila ay mga anak, kapatid, at ama na iniwan ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay upang gampanan ang isang dakilang misyon. Sa kanilang huling paglipad, dala nila ang pangarap ng bawat Pilipino para sa isang ligtas, payapa, at maunlad na bansa,” he said.

(They are not merely soliders; they are children, siblings, and fathers who left their loved ones in order to fulfill a great mission. In their final flight, they brought with them the dreams of every Filipino for a safe, peaceful, and progressive nation.)

The House leader called the pilots "heroes" and assured their families that President Marcos Jr. and his government are ready to help them.

“Ang ating Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. at kanyang gobyerno ay nandito upang siguraduhin na ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay ay kikilalanin hindi lamang bilang sundalo, kundi bilang mga bayani ng ating bayan,” the Speaker said.

(Our President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. and his government is here ensure that your loved ones would be known not just as soldiers, but heroes of the nation.)

The Speaker also vowed that the House would continue to help strengthen the AFP.

“Ang sakripisyong ito ay isang paalala sa ating lahat kung gaano kahalaga ang patuloy nating pagkakaisa bilang isang bansa. Hindi lamang ito laban ng ating mga sundalo; ito ay laban ng bawat Pilipino laban sa takot, karahasan, at pang-aabuso,” Romualdez said.

(This sacrifice is a reminder of the importance of continued unity as a nation. This is not just the fight of our soldiers; this is the fight of every Filipino against fear, violence, and abuse.)

“Sinisiguro namin sa Kongreso na hindi masasayang ang kanilang dugo at pawis. Patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating Sandatahang Lakas, titiyakin ang sapat na suporta para sa ating mga sundalo, at ipaglalaban ang isang bansa kung saan ang kapayapaan ang mananaig,” he said.

(We in Congress guarantee that their blood and sweat won't go to waste. We will continue to strengthen the Armed Forces, ensure ample support for our soldiers, and fight for a nation that upholds peace.)

Romualdez thanked all soldiers for their service to the nation.