MANILA, Philippines — The country’s heroes faced foreign colonizers centuries ago, but Filipinos now are facing “modern problems” such as poverty, corruption, environmental degradation, terrorism, criminality, and illegal drugs. President Rodrigo Duterte said this Wednesday as he paid tribute to heroes “from the past and the present” during the celebration of the 121st Independence Day in Lanao Del Sur. “And while the noble heroes of our past faced the might of colonial powers, this time, we face the modern problems of poverty, corruption, environmental degradation, terrorism, criminality, and illegal drugs,” he added. Duterte was supposed to lead the ceremony set for 2 p.m., but he arrived at the venue around 5:45 p.m. (Editor: Eden Estopace)ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Protesters disrupt Duterte’s Independence Day speech in CaviteREAD: Duterte urges Filipinos to work for ‘truly independent Philippines’Read NextLATEST STORIESMOST READ

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 12, 2019 13:18 UTC