Filipino frontliners, binigyang pugay ng AFP sa Araw ng mga Bayani

BINIGYANG pagpupugay ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ngayong ‘National Heroes’ Day ang ating mga frontliner bilang mga makabagong bayani dahil sa kanilang hindi matatawarang sakripisyo sa bansa laban sa COVID-19 pandemic.

KUHA NI NORMAN ARAGA / AGILA NG BAYAN

Inalala ni Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, chief of staff ng Armed Forces, ang sakripisyo ng mga bayani ng bansa at inialay ang selebrasyon sa frontliner workers na kanyang tinawag na modernong bayani dahil sa kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin upang pagsilbihan ang mga Filipino sa oras ng krisis.

“To the heroes of our time – medical practitioners, law enforcers, government employees, and everyone who continues to perform their duties despite the threats posed by COVID-19, thank you for your hard work and sacrifices. Our whole nation is profoundly grateful to all of you for giving the Filipino people a fighting chance and a glimmer of hope against this pandemic,” wika niya.

“Being dedicated as our frontliners in serving our country, our troops never ceased in accomplishing their duty by supporting our government’s response against the pandemic,” dagdag pa niya.

Bilang karagdagan, naniniwala siya na tayong lahat ay bayani at hinikayat niya ang mga Filipino na ipakita ang kabayanihan, lalo na sa oras ng pagsubok.

“Heroism knows no bounds and manifests in different ways. It does not matter whether one is a uniformed personnel, a public servant, or an ordinary citizen – specks of heroism are innate in all of us, urging us to perform everyday acts of valor. Indeed, what makes exceptional men and women true heroes is their commitment – a burning desire to serve. True heroes emerge when our nation needs them most,” anang niya.

Pinanungahan ni Gapay ang flag-raising at wreath-laying ceremonies sa Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sa Libingan ng mga Bayani sa Taguig para pagdiriwang ng National Heroes Day.

Binigyan din ng pagkilala ng National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 ang mga medical workers workers at iba pang frontliners.

“For the past six months, our doctors, nurses, military and police personnel, and civil servants have been at the forefront of our nation’s battle against the deadly disease. We know how your jobs have taken a heavy toll on your physical and mental well-being,”  ayon sa task force.

“But despite the many challenges, you continue to put your lives on the line and carry out your critical tasks so that our countrymen can get the best medical care and other essential services they need to recover and return to their families,” dagdag pa niya.

Sinabi rin ng NTF, na pinamumunuan ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza, na ang hindi pagiging makasarili, dedikasyon at katapangan ng mga frontliner sa gitna ng krisis ay kahalintulad ng ginawa ng ating pambasang bayani na isinakripisyo ang kanilang buhay para maging malaya ang bansa sa mga mapang-api.

Sinabi ni Lorenzana na ang publiko ay may utang na pasasalamat sa ating mga kasalukuyang bayani na patuloy na nagsisilbi sa kabila ng kinakaharap nating hamon at banta.

“We commemorate and celebrate the bravery, heroism, and patriotism of our heroes, the men and women before us, who have lived and died in service to our country to build a just, peaceful and prosperous nation. Their deeds set into motion the emergence of a national consciousness that enabled us to evolve as a free and sovereign nation,” wika ni Lorenzana.