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By Samuel P. Medenilla & Rene Acosta
President Duterte has called on Filipinos to become “selfless” modern heroes as the country faces an unprecedented threat from the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Duterte made the call in his message for the Day of National Heroes amid the infections still increasing in the country, which has reached 217,396 as of Sunday.
“The current global health crisis we face today demands a new expression of heroism from us, the kind that our selfless Filipino leaders have shown us in various settings,” President Duterte said in a press release issued Monday.
Today’s heroes
These leaders are also at increased risk of infection. The latest government figures showed 6,932 healthcare workers tested positive for Covid-19.
There were also 2,757 police officers and 829 Philippine Coast Guard personnel who were also infected.
The president called the leaders “heroes of today”, whose example should be emulated by other Filipinos.
“I hope that the courage of our Filipino heroes, past and present, inspires all of us to face and overcome even the most unfavorable situations. Together, let’s become everyday heroes in the quest for a better future for all, ”said President Duterte.
More complicated
The president also recognized government troops, who remain steadfast in the fight against insurgents and terrorism in the country even during the pandemic.
Early last week, twin blasts rocked Jolo, Sulu, killing at least 17 people, including some soldiers. Authorities are now searching for three suspects responsible for the blasts.
President Duterte visited the site of the explosion on August 30, 2020, to express his support for the soldiers deployed in the volatile zone.
“I know that the current pandemic has not only made your responsibilities even more complicated and more painful. However, in a spirit of self-denial, he remains steadfast in his mission for the Filipino people. So I am honored by their commitment, inspired by their patriotism and grateful for their continued support, ”said President Duterte, addressing the troops in Jolo.
He pledged the government’s full support to the military forces in their mission to stop other threats to the peace and stability of the country.
Concrete measures
The coalition of the country’s largest labor groups, Nagkaisa, demanded in a joint statement that the government provide real measures to help today’s so-called heroes.
The group noted that despite the encouraging words, the government has yet to provide any substantial help to improve the working conditions of its leaders.
The coalition called on the government to provide a Dangerous Living Conditions Benefit, a higher entry-level salary for healthcare workers, protection of the first in healthcare, and free medical and other benefits for such workers.
“We are fed up with trivia and praise that praise us as ‘new heroes’ when the fact is that we are suffering and abandoned. We may be far from heroes, but we are also human beings in need of attention, ”Nagkaisa said.
Together with the Labor coalition Labor as well as the Kilusang Mayo Uno they held a symbolic protest action at Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City to pay tribute to healthcare workers, who died from Covid-19.
Honored Unknown Soldier
The army commemorated National Heroes Day on Monday with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, leading the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Libingan ng mga Bayani in the city de Taguig along with other government officials.
Recalling the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes, Gapay dedicated the celebration to modern heroes battling the coronavirus pandemic.
“To the heroes of our time – doctors, law enforcement officials, government employees and all who continue to perform their duties despite the threats posed by Covid-19 – thank you for your hard work and sacrifices. Our entire nation is deeply grateful to all of you for giving the Filipino people an opportunity to fight and a ray of hope against this pandemic, ”Gapay said.
The top military chief said that the celebration of National Heroes Day was a reminder of all the sacrifices and heroism of those who fought for the country’s independence.
“We want to instill this in the minds of the Filipinos, particularly the youth. This is also to honor and thank the heroes of today, ”he said.
“Heroism knows no limits and manifests itself in different ways. It does not matter if one is a uniformed man, a public servant or a common citizen, specks of heroism are innate in all of us, prompting us to perform daily acts of value, “he added.
In a separate National Heroes Day message, Gapay paid tribute to those on the front lines fighting Covid-19, including soldiers.
“By being dedicated as our pioneers in serving our country, our troops never failed to do their duty in supporting our government’s response to the pandemic. They have also sustained operations against our enemies that incite chaos and anarchy through violent acts of terrorism. As our personnel continue to carry out their mandate with confidence, we promise to reciprocate this confidence by fulfilling our responsibility to promote the well-being and preserve the dignity of our military force, ”he said.
“With all of this, I would like to urge all the armed forces and all Filipinos to unite for the principles of honor and justice to show that the sacrifices of our heroes were never in vain. That we, who live in difficult times, still have the spirit of heroism alive and well within us, “he added.
On the other hand, the Secretary of Defense, Delfin Lorenzana, paid tribute to the “courage, heroism and patriotism” of the national heroes and extended the country’s gratitude to those “present [day] heroes ”, the brave vanguardists.
May this day serve as a reminder for us to unite and support each other as we recover from the effects of the pandemic, as well as to work together to protect our communities from the threat of crime, terrorism and the violent extremism, ”he said in his National Heroes Day statement.
