CALL. Bataan Governor Albert Garcia urges the public to draw lessons from the experiences of the brave Filipino soldiers during World War II who sacrificed their lives to uphold the country’s freedom and sovereignty. In his virtual message during the 79th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan on Friday (April 9, 2021), Garcia spelled out the sacrifices of Filipino and American war veterans who were forced to lay down their arms after almost three months of heroic fighting against Japanese invaders. (Photo by the provincial government of Bataan)
PILAR, Bataan – Governor Albert Garcia has urged the public to draw lessons from the experiences of the brave Filipino soldiers who sacrificed their lives to uphold the country’s freedom and sovereignty.
In his virtual message during the 79th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan Friday, Garcia spelled out the sacrifices of Filipino and American war veterans who were forced to lay down their arms after almost three months of heroic fighting against Japanese invaders.
Garcia said the brave Filipino soldiers inspired the citizens to remain steadfast in the face of the violence of the invaders.
At present, he said the world again faces a new war on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Garcia cited the assistance and cooperation being offered by all sectors, especially the front-liners who gave their lives to save others.
“Muli nating hugutan ng aral ang mga karanasan ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino noong World War II at alalahanin natin na pagkaraan ng Fall of Bataan noong 1942, mahigit dalawang taon pang pagtitiis, sakripisyo, at pakikibaka ang lumipas bago nagwakas ang digmaan sa Pilipinas, sa Asya, at sa buong mundo. (Let us once again draw a lesson from the experiences of our fellow Filipinos during World War II and remember that after the Fall of Bataan in 1942, more than two more years of endurance, sacrifice, and struggle passed before the war ended in the Philippines, Asia, and in the whole world),” he said.
Garcia said that in this context, one will understand the theme behind observance of Araw ng Kagitingan –“Kagitingan Gawing Gabay, Pandemya ay Pagtatagumpayan.”
“Hindi natin kailangan magpaputok ng baril o kanyon o pisikal na makipagtunggali sa mga armadong kalaban ngayon. Kailangan lamang natin na maging matatag, determinado, at magkaisa sa ating pagkilos upang puksain ang Covid-19. Ang ating mga sandatang pangkalusugan ay simpleng-simple ngunit napatunayang napaka-epektibo (We don’t need to fire a gun or cannon or physically fight with armed opponents today. We just need to be firm, determined, and united in our action to eradicate Covid-19. Our health weapons are very simple but have proven to be very effective),” he added.
Garcia asked the people to follow the footsteps of veterans and continue to defend homes and communities through discipline and concern.
“Manalig tayo na sama-sama makakamit natin ang tagumpay laban sa pandemya patungo sa kinabukasang punong-puno ng pag-asa (Have faith that together we can achieve victory against the pandemic towards the future full of hope),” he said.
It is the second year that no physical observance was conducted during the 79th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan that marked the “Fall of Bataan” on April 9, 1942.
Rites in Mt. Samat in Pilar town usually attended by the Chief Executive and ambassadors of Japan and the United States were canceled, and the officials instead delivered virtual messages.
Wreath offerings at the shrine were not performed by President Rodrigo Duterte, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko, and U.S. Charge de’ Affaires John Law but by provincial officials.
Garcia, first district Rep. Geraldine Roman, second district Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, and Pilar Mayor Carlos Pizarro Jr. took their place in the wreath-laying which were recorded earlier. (PNA)
