NEW BATTLE. Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia urges Cebuanos to fight against "new enemies" during the celebration of the 126th Independence Day (June 12, 2024) at the Plaza Sugbu. In his speech, Garcia said Filipinos are facing a fight no longer with a specific country or people but rather a new battle against corruption, injustice and apathy. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO)
CEBU CITY – The acting mayor in this capital city on Independence Day called upon fellow Cebuanos to continue the fight against “different enemies”.
“Today, may we all rekindle within ourselves the same burning fire for patriotism and love for the country of our heroes had a century ago so that we may continue to the fight,” acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said in his speech as the country commemorates the 126th Independence Day Wednesday at the Plaza Sugbu.
“A fight no longer with a specific country or people this time, but rather a new battle against a different enemy: that is corruption, injustice, apathy, and all the ills of society that hinder us from further progress,” Garcia said.
Celebrating Independence Day is the perfect day to reflect upon the struggles and sacrifices that Filipinos’ ancestors endured, recognizing the indomitable spirit that carried them through adversity.
He said that as the Filipinos stand in awe of the heroes’ unwavering dedication to securing the liberties they enjoy today, it should remind the people “that freedom is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted.”
In fighting the ills in governance and the injustices in society, Garcia urged Cebuanos to reflect on what the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, said “He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.”
“(Today) is a day to honor the bravery and resilience of our forefathers, who fought valiantly for our freedom and laid the foundation for the vibrant and diverse nation we are today,” he said.
The acting mayor, however, said that amid globalization, interdependence and co-existence with other nations have become a norm to usher in development and progress.
Garcia, along with Col. Rommel Lamzon, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Joint Task Group Cebu, laid a wreath at the statue of Rizal in Plaza Sugbu, shortly after the flag-raising ceremony.
Soldiers from the Visayas Command rendered a 21-gun salute to honor the heroes who fought for the country's freedom from foreign domination.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Junard Chan and the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, led the flag-raising ceremony and wreath-laying ceremony before addressing hundreds of city officials and residents at the Liberty Shrine in Mactan.
Members of the PNP also rendered a 21-gun salute to honor the heroes, especially Datu Lapu-Lapu, the local chieftain who fought against the first foreign aggressors in Mactan, Cebu. (PNA)
