Duterte: Emulate Bonifacio’s courage, love for country

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged Filipinos to emulate Andres Bonifacio’s courageous deeds and his love for country as the Philippines continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

In line with the country’s commemoration of Bonifacio’s 157th birthday, the President underscored the need to remember the hero’s life and the values he fought for amid challenging times due to the health crisis.

“His love of country, which aroused our ancestors to fight for our freedom and secure our right or place in the community of nations is very vital,” Duterte said in his pre-recorded address.

“Now, more than ever, as we overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as we remember his life and deeds, may the values he fought for inspire us all to become worthy heirs of the just, progressive, and inclusive society that he envisioned more than a century ago,” he added.

Known as the father of the Philippine revolution, Bonifacio spearheaded the establishment of the secret revolutionary movement called “Katipunan.”

The Bonifacio-led group inspired Filipinos to launch a nationwide campaign for independence from the Spanish rule.

He was executed in 1897 after being convicted of treason for his attempts to overthrow the Emilio Aguinaldo government.

Duterte, in his address, also urged Filipinos to “secure a much better and brighter future” for the next generation.

“Today, we honor Bonifacio’s legacy of sparking the fires of the revolution that awakened our national consciousness and served as the foundation of this Republic,” he said.

“Fueled by Bonifacio’s extraordinary courage and determination, let us surmount the many challenges ahead and secure a much better and brighter future for every Filipino,” Duterte added.

p: wjg