MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday paid tribute to “selfless” COVID-19 frontliners and fallen soldiers, as the Philippines marked Araw ng Kagitingan.

Duterte said the Day of Valor “is a firm reminder of the unyielding determination of the Filipino to prevail over all forms of adversity.” He said the bravery of Filipino forbears “left an indelible mark in our history and shaped our indomitable spirit to rise after every fall.”

As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, Duterte acknowledged “the fortitude displayed by our selfless and dedicated frontliners.”

Their “unrelenting commitment in this fight reflects the heroism of the warriors of Bataan that continues to inspire in us a greater sense of patriotism and solidarity during these trying times,” said the President in a statement.

He also honored “our fallen soldiers whose sacrifice became the bedrock of our resolve to uphold our most cherished liberties."

“May this awareness resonate among us as we strive to become worthy heirs to the nation that they fought and bled for,” he added.

The Day of Valor commemorates the Filipino and American soldiers who stood up against Japanese forces during World War II.

On April 9, 1942, some 76,000 Filipino and American troops surrendered to Japan as Bataan province fell to invaders. Thousands of the captives died as they were forced to march about 140 kilometers to Capas, Tarlac from Mariveles, Bataan.

A taped message by Duterte, which was mostly the same as his statement, was played during the 79th Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Bataan.

Palace meanwhile issued a statement on why Duterte skipped the Day of Valor commemoration.

“The President’s critics are asking why President Rodrigo Duterte has no public event to commemorate Araw ng Kagitingan. Lest they forget, we are under community quarantine, where gatherings are not encouraged,” said Duterte's spokesman Harry Roque.

“In addition, active cases of COVID-19 remain high and we have to ensure not only the safety of the President but also the physical well-being of the staff and the security in charge of the coordination and preparation of the presidential engagement or event,” Roque said in a statement.

Metro Manila and surrounding Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal provinces are under the strictest quarantine level, at least until April 11.

Last year, government cancelled the celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan because of COVID-19.

In 2019, Duterte lead the Day of Valor commemoration in Jolo, Sulu. He skipped commemoration rites in Bataan's Mount Samat in 2018 because he attended a business forum in China.

Duterte attended the Bataan ceremony in 2017, almost a year into his presidency.

This week, he canceled his public address meant to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. His last public engagement was on March 29. His aides denied rumors that the President was unwell.

Video courtesy of Philippine Information Agency-National Capital Region Facebook page ​