President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday honored Filipinos fighting on the frontlines against the Covid-19 pandemic as the country marked national hero Jose Rizal’s 124th death anniversary.
In a statement on Rizal Day, Duterte said frontliners were the “‘Rizals’ fighting for our people against an unseen adversary,” which is the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have our brave frontliners who continue to serve the nation in their unique capacities notwithstanding the risks to life and limb,” the president’s statement read.
“In them, we see a new expression of heroism that is truly inspiring,” it continued.
Duterte also called on Filipinos to emulate Rizal and frontliners’ heroism “and to express the love and respect of a grateful nation.”
The president was absent from the Rizal Day ceremony in Rizal Park today.
Rizal Day is celebrated every Dec. 30, the day in 1896 when the national hero was executed in Bagumbayan, now Rizal Park.
Rizal’s writings inspired the Philippine Revolution, which led to the country’s independence from Spanish rule. John Ezekiel J. Hirro