MANILA – Officials underscored the importance of forging peace through solidarity among nations as the Philippines commemorated Sunday the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings, led by United States General Douglas MacArthur.
House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Ambassadors Hae Kyung Yu of Australia and Endo Kazuya of Japan, US Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane joined the celebration, also witnessed by local officials led by Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and Leyte Mayor Remedios Petilla.
“Your presence today is a testament to how far we have come in terms of promoting and protecting our respective national interests — no longer through the destructive contest of arms and violence, but through peaceful diplomatic efforts which are more sustainable,” Romualdez said in his message during the commencement ceremony at MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug, Palo, Leyte.
The commemoration reenacted the historic landing and return of MacArthur to the Philippines on October 20, 1944 to help defeat the Japanese forces.
“As we celebrate bravery, let us also celebrate the progress we have made in forging peace so that what happened then will not happen again,” Romualdez said.
Teodoro lauded the administration’s efforts to honor the sacrifices of war veterans in protecting the country against foreign invaders and natural disasters.
“In honoring the sacrifices of veterans here, we continue the legacy of building national defense and resilience, not only against those who would want to occupy our territory or abuse our territorial integrity and sovereignty but also against natural disasters and calamities,” he said.
Teodoro also read the message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reminding the younger generations of the hard work of war veterans to keep the country’s freedom.
“Their battle is our battle. Let us carry forward the lessons of those who gave their own so that we can prosper in a society where hope and opportunity flourish for all,” he added.
The program, with the theme “Bayani ng Kahapon, Dakilang Huwaran ng mga Kabataan Ngayon” (Yesterday’s Heroes, a Great Inspiration for the New Generation), began with a flag-raising ceremony of the Philippine flag and those of participating countries, followed by a wreath-laying before the memorial.
Solidarity greetings were also extended by veterans and the ambassadors.
Governor Petilla delivered the anniversary message while the Visayas State University-Tolosa Chorale concluded the event with a rendition of the Leyte Hymn, according to the Leyte Provincial Police Office. (Zaldy de Layola/PNA)