President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – “United as friends in the desire to help the Filipino people,” that was the realization shared by President Benigno Aquino III on Monday at the 70th anniversary commemoration of the Leyte Landing.
During the solemn ceremony at The Leyte Landing Memorial in Palo, Leyte, Aquino said it was important to pay tribute to the country’s forefathers who fought to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II, as well as extend goodwill to former enemies.
“Beyond cataloging the horrors of war, let us honor the peace that has reigned among our nations for close to 70 years. Let us renew our commitment to the strong and enduring friendships between and its war-time allies and perhaps, most meaningfully, the countries that were once its foes,” Aquino said.
He pointed out that both allies and former foes aided the Philippines in 2013 after the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan).
“Through these friendships we saw just last year, vessels bearing the names of those who had fought at Leyte Gulf once more journeying to the Philippines…Last November they came here as partners to demonstrate the unity witht he Filipino people at a time of such massive loss and tragedy,” he said.
Among the envoys present at the commemoration were those of the United States, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
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