Duterte tells Filipinos to emulate Bonifacio's love for country
Published Nov 30, 2019 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte urged Filipinos to emulate national hero Andres Bonifacio's love for the Philippines as they fight the social ills that continue to plague the society.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR. / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Duterte made the statement as the country commemorated the156th birth anniversary of Bonifacio.
In his Bonifacio day message, Duterte said the revolutionary leader's birthday was an auspicious occasion to reflect on his legacy of awakening the Filipino consciousness to fight for their freedom and build an entire nation.
"The Father of the Philippine Revolution has taught us to embody patriotism and take a stand against our oppressors through the civic duties we fulfill as citizens of this great country," Duterte said.
According to the President, it was through Bonifacio's courage and selflessness that the Philippines became an independent and vibrant nation that advances ever forward to the future.
"I urge everyone to emulate his love for country in our endeavors as we bring to life the strong and progressive Philippines that he had envisioned for us all," Duterte said.
"Up to this day, we are challenged to continue his revolution as we liberate ourselves from corruption, criminality, terrorism, illegal drugs and other social ills that continue to plague our society. Even in death, his great sacrifice persists to ignite the spark of meaningful change so that we can bring this nation he had left behind to greater heights," he added.
In his speech during the commemoration at the Andres Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, Duterte said Filipinos owe the Supremo the freedom they are enjoying today.
"Through his effective leadership, bravery, and patriotism, he organized and inspired his fellow Katipuneros to a noble cause and offered their lives willingly for our liberation and self-determination as a nation," he said.
"We owe Bonifacio today and other unsung Filipino heroes the awakening of the Filipino nationalism, conscious to fight for our rights, to build an entire nation and to enjoy the various freedoms that we enjoy today," he added.
This was the first time Duterte graced the national commemoration of Bonifacio's birth anniversary since becoming president.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo urged the public to be inspired by Bonifacio's life.
"Our identity as a people is rooted in the revolution the Great Plebeian started in his younger years. As heirs to this worthy cause, it is but fitting that we emulate his revolutionary fervor and continue with the struggle he pursued, together with the other heroes, for the emancipation of our countrymen from foreign dominion," he said.
"As we pay tribute to the Father of Philippine Revolution, let us be inspired of his life and his bravery as the remnants of society’s ills in his time continue to haunt us, even as they remain an obstacle to unchain us from the bondage of poverty and corruption plus the evolved modern twin evil of illegal drugs and terrorism," he added.
Panelo then enjoined the public to become the younger generation's inspiration to love the country and take it to progress and prosperity.
"Let us become the new heroes of this generation in the mold of Andres Bonifacio, to pave the way for the succeeding ones to resurrect the culture of love and nationalism that will propel this nation and country to progress and prosperity, under a regime of peace, security, and life of comfort for all Filipinos," he said.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ROBINSON NIÑAL JR. / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Duterte made the statement as the country commemorated the156th birth anniversary of Bonifacio.
In his Bonifacio day message, Duterte said the revolutionary leader's birthday was an auspicious occasion to reflect on his legacy of awakening the Filipino consciousness to fight for their freedom and build an entire nation.
"The Father of the Philippine Revolution has taught us to embody patriotism and take a stand against our oppressors through the civic duties we fulfill as citizens of this great country," Duterte said.
According to the President, it was through Bonifacio's courage and selflessness that the Philippines became an independent and vibrant nation that advances ever forward to the future.
"I urge everyone to emulate his love for country in our endeavors as we bring to life the strong and progressive Philippines that he had envisioned for us all," Duterte said.
"Up to this day, we are challenged to continue his revolution as we liberate ourselves from corruption, criminality, terrorism, illegal drugs and other social ills that continue to plague our society. Even in death, his great sacrifice persists to ignite the spark of meaningful change so that we can bring this nation he had left behind to greater heights," he added.
In his speech during the commemoration at the Andres Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, Duterte said Filipinos owe the Supremo the freedom they are enjoying today.
"Through his effective leadership, bravery, and patriotism, he organized and inspired his fellow Katipuneros to a noble cause and offered their lives willingly for our liberation and self-determination as a nation," he said.
"We owe Bonifacio today and other unsung Filipino heroes the awakening of the Filipino nationalism, conscious to fight for our rights, to build an entire nation and to enjoy the various freedoms that we enjoy today," he added.
This was the first time Duterte graced the national commemoration of Bonifacio's birth anniversary since becoming president.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo urged the public to be inspired by Bonifacio's life.
"Our identity as a people is rooted in the revolution the Great Plebeian started in his younger years. As heirs to this worthy cause, it is but fitting that we emulate his revolutionary fervor and continue with the struggle he pursued, together with the other heroes, for the emancipation of our countrymen from foreign dominion," he said.
"As we pay tribute to the Father of Philippine Revolution, let us be inspired of his life and his bravery as the remnants of society’s ills in his time continue to haunt us, even as they remain an obstacle to unchain us from the bondage of poverty and corruption plus the evolved modern twin evil of illegal drugs and terrorism," he added.
Panelo then enjoined the public to become the younger generation's inspiration to love the country and take it to progress and prosperity.
"Let us become the new heroes of this generation in the mold of Andres Bonifacio, to pave the way for the succeeding ones to resurrect the culture of love and nationalism that will propel this nation and country to progress and prosperity, under a regime of peace, security, and life of comfort for all Filipinos," he said.