(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to “defend the honor of our motherland” on Monday, April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor, as he recalled the heroism of thousands of Filipino and American troops who marched in Bataan 76 years ago.
“Seventy-six years have passed since Filipino and American troops fought side by side in defense of our democratic way of life,” the President said in a statement.
“Immeasurable sweat, blood and tears were shed and countless lives were lost during this dark chapter in our history to ensure that our people may pursue their endeavors freely,” he said.
But President Duterte noted that “the very freedoms that the heroes of Bataan fought for are once again imperiled.”
He said that this was “disquieting” as the Philippines commemorated the historic occasion.
Duterte said there were “forces who wish to see a weak and submissive Philippines.” He said these forces “continue their unbridled disrespect for the institutions and laws that embody our aspirations as a people.”
“It is our sacred duty and obligation to defend the honor of our motherland. We owe it to our forefathers to demonstrate the same courage and valor that sustained their gallant stand more than seven decades ago,” the President said.
“Let the spirit of Bataan inspire us to resist any affront to our dignity and inviolable rights as a free, sovereign and independent nation,” he added.
The “Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor is observed evern April 9 to commemorate the fall of Bataan during World War II.
It was at dawn on April 9, 1942 that the commander of the Luzon Force in Bataan, Major General Edward P. King Jr., surrendered more than 76,000 starving and disease-ridden soldiers Americans to Japanese troops and against the orders of General Douglas MacArthur and Jonathan Wainwright.
They were forced to endure the 140-kilometer route from Bataan to Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac where thousands died from dehydration heat, hunger and untreated wounds. They were beaten randomly and those who fell in exhaustion were usually executed or left to die, according to historical accounts of the infamous Bataan Death March.