HONOR TO THE NATIONAL HERO. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, along with Col. Julius Suriben, director of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, offers white flowers at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal on June 12, 2023. Government officials, uniformed personnel, employees and representatives of private groups came together to celebrate the country's 125th Independence Day with simple rites. (Photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – Coming together from various parts of the province, government officials, uniformed personnel, employees and representatives of private groups joined a traditional Independence Day rite in front of the historic Provincial Capitol building amid gloomy weather on Monday.
In his short speech, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc urged the over 600,000 residents of Ilocos Norte to honor and keep alive the memory and spirit of the Ilokano freedom fighters, among others, who made sure the country’s independence would be safeguarded.
"On this historic day, we recall, commemorate and honor those freedom fighters from our beloved province of Ilocos Norte. After all, we have the blood of freedom fighters running through our veins because we know the crucial role that Ilocanos play in our fight for freedom and independence,” he said.
Up to this day, the names of some Ilocano martyrs in the Ilocos Region like Pedro Mateo, Saralogo Ambaristo, Juan and Antonio Luna, Josefa Llanes Escoda, and many others continue to inspire the younger generation as their monuments remain visible in public parks of the province.
The governor, however, reminded everyone that the battle is not over yet as people are confronted daily with many issues and challenges. Nonetheless, he added that even though these battles may seem smaller and very different from the past, he enjoined Ilocos Norte residents to confront these challenges with the same determination, commitment, and certainty just like what freedom fighters did centuries ago.
War veterans of Ilocos Norte used to be present in previous Independence Day rites but not so this year.
The number of uniformed personnel doubled this time, however, with the full participation of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Sulu-based Philippine Marines, which has established a headquarters in Burgos, Ilocos Norte since the start of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During the simple ceremony, fresh white flowers were also offered at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in front of the Capitol grounds followed by a 21-gun salute. (PNA)
