It was all apologies to the soldiers who sacrificed so much during the war as the nation commemorated the 68th year of “Araw ng Kagitingan” and paid tribute to the heroes of World War II at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan, Friday.

The apologies were aired by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura, who said he is honored to join the Filipino people in paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the Second World War, and Vice President Noli De Castro, who graced the occasion in behalf of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“I hereby express my heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse over the damage caused by the Japanese military in the Philippines during World War II, including the tragic Bataan Death March,” said Katsura in his remark.

He said that after the war, “Japan was reborn as a peace-loving nation, and post-war Japan has firmly resolved to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world, without allowing the terrible lessons of the war to erode.

“In this context, I am deeply moved by the Filipino people’s noble spirit of reconciliation and sense of fairness. Indeed, the Filipino people have been appreciating Japan as we are today – a peace-loving nation that shares the fundamental values of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights,” said Katsura.

He noted that Filipinos have also been taking a future-oriented attitude with a view to deepening the friendly relations between the two countries.

“On our part, we have been trying our best to assist the Philippines’ nation-building efforts as the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA). In trade and investment fields too, we are one of the largest partners for the Philippines,” the Ambassador further stated.

Katsura recalled that during the official visit of President Arroyo to Tokyo in 2009, it was agreed at the summit meeting to foster a “Strategic Partnership for the Future” between the two countries, based on the entry into force of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in December 2008.

According to the Ambassador, Japan’s deep commitment to peace and development in Mindanao has been further enhanced, stating that the recent resumption of the peace negotiations between GRP and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a most welcome development.

Meanwhile, De Castro, who noted it will be his last time to stand in front of the Dambana ng Kagitingan as Vice President of the  country, expressed the nation’s eternal gratitude to the courage and valor shown by the Filipino soldiers in World War II, even as he called on candidates in the coming elections to pause from their hectic campaign schedule and “reflect for a moment on the lessons and spirit of the historic moments we recall today.”

The Vice President apologized not less than 10 times to the heroes of the second world war – both living those who have departed – for the times the Filipino people and the nation, and the politicians and those in government in particular – have forgotten or failed to recognized and give respect to their sacrifices for the freedom and democracy that we are all enjoying today.

De Castro said we now live in times that call for similar valor and courage shown by Filipino soldiers in the second world war.

“It takes valor and courage to unite against today's foes which are poverty, ignorance, diseases, degradation of the environment and fragmentation of society; it takes valor and courage to dedicate one’s self to the continuing fight against these enemies,” said De Castro.

Last Friday’s celebration of the 68th Araw ng Kagitingan started with a wreath-laying ceremony participated in by US embassy Charge d’Affaires, Leslie Basset; the Japanese Ambassador, and the Vice President.