MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday reminded Filipinos “to remain steadfast … in upholding the country’s sovereignty and in protecting the rights and freedoms that people enjoy today.”The President skipped the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan rites at Mt. Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Tuesday morning, but was expected to lead the Day of Valor rites at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, Jolo, in the afternoon. ADVERTISEMENTApril 9 is a national holiday that honors the valor and courage of Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Japanese during World War II. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año meanwhile said that the President had ordered the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office to speed up the release of P50 million monthly financial assistance to World War II veterans to help with their medical expenses. —Reports from Julie M. Aurelio, Leila B. Salaverria, DJ Yap, Jerome Aning, Dexter Cabalza, Jeannette I. Andrade and Inquirer BureausADVERTISEMENTRead NextLATEST STORIESMOST READ

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 09, 2019 21:33 UTC