Day of Valor: Marcos pushes for nation-building; Duterte calls for unity

President Marcos has urged the public to honor the country's World War II heroes by protecting and building the nation through acts of service and patriotism.

Marcos said this as he joined in commemorating Araw ng Kagitingan on Wednesday, April 9.

In his message, the President described the country as a "cradle of heroes and heroines" who willingly gave part of themselves and even their lives for the sake of their beloved nation.

"On this day, we celebrate the valiant heroes of the defense of Bataan, and all Filipinos who showed acts of unwavering courage and patriotism during the Second World War," he said.

"Their remarkable story continues to inspire us all as we carry on their work of protecting our nation and building a country worthy of their sacrifice," he added.

With this, Marcos reminded Filipinos that valor is not solely about strength and resolve in the face of adversity but also about small acts of compassion, generosity, and kindness that positively change communities.

"As we face our challenges, may we follow their example by advancing causes that improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos," he said.

"Through acts of genuine service and self-offering to the nation, we can prove that we are not only made of the same noble stock as our noteworthy ancestors but also the rightful heirs of their heroic legacy and the faithful successors of their struggle," he added.

Solution to war

In a speech during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, President Marcos emphasized that the true answer to conflict is peace and not more violence.

"The lessons that we learn are that the solution to war is not more war, and that the solution to war is only peace," he said.

However, he reminded Filipinos of their shared duty to maintain peace and build a better future.

"Peace cannot be a thing by one person—by one country alone—and that we have to bring together all the parties that are involved," he said.

"We who serve the public continue to find ways to keep that peace, to make that peace more permanent, to maintain that peace so that our people live a good and profitable and productive constructive life," he added.

Marcos extended the definition of heroism to civilians and everyday acts of courage.

"Not only is valor, not only is bravery, not only courage and sacrifice demonstrated by those who fought in war. They continue to be demonstrated by all the little heroic deeds that our people continued to do when faced with crisis," he said.

"We continue to believe in the courage of every single Filipino, not only our servicemen, not only those who fought as irregulars, but also our civilians, who made their own sacrifices," he added.

Honring fallen servicemen

As he continued leading Day of Valor commemoration rites, President Marcos, in a speech in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, emphasized the importance of remembering and valuing the lives lost in service to the nation by taking care of their families.

"Kung tayo ay nagbibigay ng dangal sa ating mga nasawi na mga kasama ay kailangan ay ang ating pangako sa kanila... ano pang mangyari ang inyong mga pamilya ay aalagaan natin (If we honor our fallen comrades, our promise to them is to take care of their families)," he said Wednesday morning.

"Hindi po namin pababayaan (We will not abandon them)," he added.

Marcos committed to taking direct action to fix the bureaucratic hurdles and promised efficiency moving forward as he admitted shortcomings of the current system in delivering timely assistance to bereaved families.

"Sabi nila sa akin ay masyado kasing mahaba ang proseso... at saka kumplikado ang mga documentary requirements at kung ano-ano. Ika ko, 'Hindi siguro tama ‘yan' (They told me that the process is long and the documentary requirements is complicated. I said that's not right)," he said.

"Kaya’t sisimplehan po natin para po lahat ng mga dapat tumanggap ng tulong sa ating pamahalaan ay mabibigyan kaagad kapag sila ay namatayan (We will simplify the process so that everyone entitled to help can receive it immediately when they lost a loved one)," he added.

Call for unity

In her Araw ng Kagitingan message, Vice President Sara Duterte highlighted the heroism of Filipinos during World War II, saying their valor is an important reminder of courage and heroism amid cruelty and oppression.

"Ngayong tayo ay nahaharap sa iba’t ibang hamon na sumusubok sa ating pagkakaisa at pagsulong, nawa’y ang kanilang kabayanihan ay magsilbing inspirasyon sa bawat Pilipino (As we face various challenges that test our unity and progress, may their heroism serve as an inspiration to every Filipino)," she said.

"Ipagdiwang natin ang kanilang alaala sa pamamagitan ng pagtatag ng isang bansang kailanma’y hindi na muling daranas ng gayong pagdurusa (Let us celebrate their memory by building a nation that will never again suffer such hardships)," she urged.

Duterte then called on the public to face challenges with love for the country and faith in God.

"Sa ating pagmamahal sa bayan at pananalig sa Diyos, harapin natin ang mga hamon, taglay ang paniniwalang nasa atin ang kapangyarihan para sa pagbabago  at mas magandang bukas (With out love for the country and our faith in God, let us face the challenges with the belief that we have the power for change and a bright future)," she said.

Commitment to peace

In a speech in Bataan, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya reiterated Japan's commitment to peace and the importance of international cooperation amid growing global instability.

He said that for the past decades, Japan has proudly and unwaveringly followed the path of a peace-loving nation.

"The world is fraught with challenges, unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force continue to intensify, creating a complex and uncertain environment," he said.

"We will continue to make every possible effort, seizing every opportunity to safeguard peace and secure its lasting impact for both present and future generations," he added.

Next year, the Philippines and Japan will mark 70 years of the normalization of the diplomatic relations of the two nations.

"I'm deeply committed to exerting all my humble efforts to ensure that this historic occasion further strengthens the bond between our nations," Endo said.

Partnership

Ambassador Endo recognized the Philippines as a crucial partner and highlighted the deepening ties between Japan, the Philippines, and the US that have "reached an unprecedented level."

"Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, once divided by conflict, now stand united as allies and partners," he said.

"We are now working hand in hand, strengthening our robust partnership to foster global peace and prosperity," he added.

The Japanese envoy detailed specific programs and contributions from Japan in support of the Philippines' development and security. He noted that the Philippines is the only country that has received Japan's official security assistance for two consecutive years.

"This includes the transfer of air surveillance radar systems to the Philippine Air Force and the provision of multipurpose response vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard," Endo said.

According to Endo, Japan also remains the largest provider of official development assistance to the Philippines. Ongoing flagship projects include the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway.