President Rodrigo Duterte rallied Filipinos on the occasion of the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, asking them to help his administration in fighting the many ills of society.

“This time, we face the modern challenges of poverty, corruption, environmental degradation, terrorism, criminality and illegal drugs,” said Duterte in Kawit, Cavite, site where General Emilio Aguinaldo first raised the Philippine Flag.

Duterte said it’s his “personal mission” to rid the nation of these ills, particularly illegal drugs, but admitted he could not do it alone.

“At this crucial juncture in our history, we need to draw strength from the lessons of our past to ensure that these ills do not cause any more damage to our future,” Duterte said.

Duterte spoke about the progress achieved in his hometown, Davao City, which he said was a place where “everything is really done according to the book.”

“Environmentally we’re quite more or less — we can pass the satisfactory level. In terms of law and order, eh you can walk about anytime of the day or night,” Duterte said.

Duterte invited the public, including the protesters, to visit Davao City and see for themselves.

He said Filipinos must have discipline or it would be difficult for the country to achieve progress.

“I will be gone like the dust in the wind. Passing lang po ako. Kaming lahat na elected officials (I come in passing. All of us elected officials),” Duterte said.

“There has to be a change somewhere. I don’t know kung kailan ‘yan (I don’t know when that will be),” he added.

At the beginning of his speech and at various points throughout, the President was interrupted by hecklers and protesters, but he remained unperturbed.

“We may not understand each other but at least there is a common denominator and that is love of country,” said Duterte, apparently referring to the protesters who are members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog (Bayan-ST).

The protesters staged their protest in front of the media during the event.

“It’s freedom of speech. You can have it. Okay lang. I will understand,” Duterte said.

The President, however, reminded protesters that they also had the right to exercise their right to suffrage “once every six years.”

Independence Day celebrations were also held in other parts of the country, including at the Luneta led by Vice President Leni Robredo and in Tagum City led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Committee on Finance, led the commemoration in Dambana ng Pinaglabanan in San Juan which was also the site of major battles during the revolution.

In Caloocan City, site of the monument of Andres Bonifacio, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danny Lim, and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice led festivities.

Lim recalled the gallantry of Bonifacio, often referred to as the Great Plebeian, and recognized the hero’s monument as a symbol of such bravery and heroism.

The MMDA chief said everyone can be a hero too without sacrificing the life and that’s by way of following simple traffic rules, placing garbage in proper places and helping other people

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