On Independence Day, Año urges public to fight for liberation from COVID-19

Published June 12, 2020 12:09 PM

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on Filipinos to commemorate Independence Day by "fighting for liberation" against COVID-19 by cooperating with the government and having discipline.

"This day does not mean we disregard the guidelines set by the government to defeat COVID-19," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement Friday, amid rallies held by groups opposed to the anti-terror bill.

"On the contrary, let’s commemorate it by fighting for our liberation from this disease by cooperating with the government and living with personal discipline"."

A former military chief of staff, Año said Independence Day "is an opportune time for us to prove to our heroes that we are worth their sacrifices as we work together with the same fervor and commitment to free our country from the shackles of this disease."

He said the resilience and heroism of Filipinos, which led to the emancipation from more than 300 years of Spanish colonization, is again being tested due to the battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

Año then urged the public to unite so that Filipinos could be victorious against the disease.

"With the same passion and courage demonstrated by our forebears and heroes, we are called today to stand up and contribute our efforts to defeat COVID-19 and protect our communities, our neighbours, and our families from this disease," he said.

"We are asked to act in unity, just like the revolutionary movement of previous generations, to attain our freedom from this pandemic." --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News

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