Tomas: Araw ng Kagitingan is a celebration of victory, heroism of Filipino freedom fighters

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Colonel Noel Baluya, commander of Task Group Cebu of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Central Command, led the opening of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) static exhibit held at the Plaza Independencia grounds earlier today, April 9./ Delta Dyrecka Letigio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of Filipinos may have died in the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 , but their deaths led to the victory of freedom fighters who fought against Japanese invaders during the World War II.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña urged Cebuanos to celebrate victory instead of defeat in this year’s commemoration of the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan.

He said that even the Marawi siege in 2017 was another celebration of Filipino heroism and victory.

“Many of our holidays is all about losing and dying. If I were to choose right now, I’ll use this occasion to celebrate Marawi. They (soldiers) were people who sacrificed themselves,” Osmeña said in a brief message which he delivered in today’s celebration of the Araw ng Kagitingan.

In appreciation of the fallen soldiers heroism, Osmeña said that the Cebu City government allocated P10 million cash assistance for their families.

On the same year, the city government also gave a P500,000 cash assistance to each of the families that were left behind by  policemen and soldiers who were killed while trying to neutralize Abu Sayaff members who tried to establish camp in Bohol province.

“We acknowledge this because if we do not have people like that (brave soldiers and policemen), they (terrorists) may be at our doorsteps today. We hope that we should go beyond celebrating our defeat and look and see the one step we won,” the mayor said.

Osmeña said that the City of Cebu salutes of those who sacrificed for the country especially those who fought against the terror groups in Bohol and Marawi.

The Cebu City Mayor also gave emphasis  on the historical significance of the Kadaugan sa Mactan that is celebrated every 27th of April which he referred to as a celebration of valor. The bravery of Mactan natives was the first recorded resistance in the country against foreign invaders.

“How come we don’t celebrate that? That should be an important part of our history because it is inspiring. Celebrating a loss is not inspiring,” said Osmeña.

Cebu City’s  Araw ng Kagitingan celebration started with an 8 a.m. Mass at the veteran’s monument located at the Plaza Independencia that was followed by a floral offering. Others who were present were Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, north district Rep. Raul del Mar and Colonel Noel Baluyan, commander of Task Group Cebu of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Central Command among others.

After the program, Osmeña and Baluyan also led the opening of the annual static exhibit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  which they called the “Kampo Kagitingan.” /dcb