CANDAHUG, Palo, Leyte -- The heroism and sacrifices of the World War II veterans were reminisced on Sunday, October 20 at the MacArthur Shrine and Memorial National Park as the Filipino people particularly the Leyteños commemorate the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary.
National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who represented President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, delivers a message during the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings Commemoration held at theMacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte, Oct. 20, 2019. (Photo by Raul Tiozon Jr./PIA-8)
National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the event guest of honor representing President Rodrigo Duterte said that the commemoration is indeed an occasion to be truly sentimental as we remembered the landings of General Douglas MacArthur.
“Let us therefore take this occasion to be grateful for the gallantry of the hundreds of thousands of troops who took part in the historic battle of Leyte Gulf,” Esperon said.
As he read President Duterte’s message, he expressed hope that the sacrifices of the veterans inspire the Filipino people and the future generations to become decisive in confronting the challenges that we now face as a nation.
The challenges referred to are the war not against the imperial forces of the past but against the menace of criminality, illegal drugs, corruption, poverty, terrorism and extensive environmental degradation that hinders the development of the nation and deprived the younger generations of their dreams.
Meanwhile, members of the diplomatic corps and the representatives from various countries such as the United States of America, Australia, Japan and the Philippines who played a significant role during World War II shared their views and reminisced the past as they honored the uncommon valor of the World War II veterans and their descendants.
National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the event guest of honor representing President Rodrigo Duterte said that the commemoration is indeed an occasion to be truly sentimental as we remembered the landings of General Douglas MacArthur.
“Let us therefore take this occasion to be grateful for the gallantry of the hundreds of thousands of troops who took part in the historic battle of Leyte Gulf,” Esperon said.
As he read President Duterte’s message, he expressed hope that the sacrifices of the veterans inspire the Filipino people and the future generations to become decisive in confronting the challenges that we now face as a nation.
The challenges referred to are the war not against the imperial forces of the past but against the menace of criminality, illegal drugs, corruption, poverty, terrorism and extensive environmental degradation that hinders the development of the nation and deprived the younger generations of their dreams.
Meanwhile, members of the diplomatic corps and the representatives from various countries such as the United States of America, Australia, Japan and the Philippines who played a significant role during World War II shared their views and reminisced the past as they honored the uncommon valor of the World War II veterans and their descendants.
In his solidarity message, US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires John C. Law expressed his admiration and appreciation of the invaluable assistance of the Filipino allies that led to the restoration of freedom in the Philippines 75 years ago.
“We can scarcely fathom the enormity of their valor and their sacrifice. We can, but only poorly express the profondere of our admiration and appreciation. Every generation since then owes them, owes you, an immense debt, and it’s a debt that we can only repay by remembering as we do today,” he said.
Law said the world has changed because since that time, former foes are now steadfast friends. Philippines and Southeast Asia, ravaged by that war, have not only recovered but have become the world’s most dynamic region with growing prosperity.
“Challenges remain, of course, there are threats to peace, there are threats to freedom but I believe we can and we will face those challenges and prevail,” he said.
For his part, Ambassador Steven J. Robinson of the Embassy of Australia to the Philippines thanked the veterans with utmost sincerity for the sacrifices they have made as he especially mentioned veterans of the Leyte campaign who were present during the commemoration.
“On behalf of all who now enjoy the peace you helped to win. I thank you with utmost sincerity for your sacrifice. The great battle in the Pacific serves as a timeless reminder that the success of military coalition operation ultimately rests on shared values. It also reminds us that we must always ready to work or fight together whenever and wherever duty calls,” he added.
He likewise expressed his gratitude to the offices of the Veterans Affairs, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the local government of Leyte for ensuring Australia’s part in the allied victory is continuously acknowledged.
Among the liberation forces who fought were 4,000 Australian personnel, some of whom died during the liberation campaign.
Meanwhile, Japanese Minister Yasushi Yamamoto, deputy chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan to the Philippines, expressed his sympathy to all descendants of the veterans who perished during the war.
He urged everyone not to forget that the peace and prosperity we enjoy today was built upon the precious sacrifices of souls.
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla honors the heroism of the World War II veterans, gives emphasis on his commemorative message the importance to teling the stories of men and women and the country's allies who fought for peace and freedom during the 75th Leyte Gulf Landings Commemoration held at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Palo, Leyte, Oct. 20, 2019. (Photo by Raul Tiozon Jr./PIA-8)
The official is confident that the event will bring great opportunities and full cooperation with one another since all countries represented share and cherish fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
For his part, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla emphasized the importance of yearly commemoration of this significant and historic event.
Petilla said, “We have the duty to keep alive the valor of our WWII heroes. Alive in our collective memory because our veterans both living and fallen deserve to be recognized for their heroism in times of war so that we may all live. We have to do our best to uphold in our own lives the values that they have, were prepared to die for. We have to honor those who carry forward that legacy, recognizing that people cannot live in freedom unless free people are prepared to die for it.”
Meanwhile, Palo Mayor Frances Ann Petilla shared her thoughts of the veterans who, according to her, if not for their courage and bravery, we will not be having a peaceful life today.
To date, there are 105 living World War II veterans in the region and the oldest of them is 104 years old. (LDL/CBA/PIA-8)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1028993
The official is confident that the event will bring great opportunities and full cooperation with one another since all countries represented share and cherish fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
For his part, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla emphasized the importance of yearly commemoration of this significant and historic event.
Petilla said, “We have the duty to keep alive the valor of our WWII heroes. Alive in our collective memory because our veterans both living and fallen deserve to be recognized for their heroism in times of war so that we may all live. We have to do our best to uphold in our own lives the values that they have, were prepared to die for. We have to honor those who carry forward that legacy, recognizing that people cannot live in freedom unless free people are prepared to die for it.”
Meanwhile, Palo Mayor Frances Ann Petilla shared her thoughts of the veterans who, according to her, if not for their courage and bravery, we will not be having a peaceful life today.
To date, there are 105 living World War II veterans in the region and the oldest of them is 104 years old. (LDL/CBA/PIA-8)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1028993
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