PNoy, VP Binay, other officials mark 116th Independence Day in different historical places

President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and several high government officials marked the 116th Philippine Independence Day in different historical places in Luzon.

A report on GMA News TV's "News To Go" said Aquino led Independence Day rites at the monument of the 15 martyrs of the 1896 Philippine Revolution in Naga City in Bocol.



With President Aquino in Naga were Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Philippine National Police Chief General Alan Purisima, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of Staff Emmanuel Bautista and other commanding generals.

In his speech, the President said the fight for independence from Spain was not only centered in Manila. Pockets of revolts had also erupted in several provinces.

VP Binay, along with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, led Independence Day rites early Thursday morning at the monument of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Luneta Park in Manila, according to a separate report on News To Go.



In an interview, Binay urged Filipinos to continue fighting for the country's freedom.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno led Independence Day rites at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, where the Philippine Flag was first hoisted 116 years ago, a separate report on News To Go said.



For his part, Senate President Franklin Drilon led the flag-raising and wreathe-laying ceremonies at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, where the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Spanish colonizers first erupted.



Independence Day ceremonies also took place at the Andres Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City in northern Metro Manila, the report added. — Amanda Fernandez /LBG, GMA News