Duterte urges Filipinos to draw strength from ‘unnamed heroes’ fighting COVID-19

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday paid tribute to people who are on the frontlines in the fight against the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Duterte’s message was released on Araw ng Kagitingan, a national holiday meant to commemorate the gallantry of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who defended Bataan from Japanese invaders during World War II.

“As we face this unprecedented public health emergency that threatens the very survival of our society, let us all draw strength from the heroism of the veterans of Bataan and the unnamed heroes in the fight against COVID-19,” the President said.

He said the COVID-19 emergency gave rise to “present-day heroes” such as medical professionals and health workers, military, police and law enforcement personnel, firefighters, security guards and frontliners in the food service, transport, waste disposal and other essential industries.

According to Duterte, the COVID-19 frontliners have continued working “so that we may all survive.”

“May their example give us the courage and strength to endure this pandemic and rise as a stronger and more resilient nation,” he said.

The Philippines already has 3,870 COVID-19 cases—the second highest in Southeast Asia after Malaysia—with 182 deaths and 96 recoveries, according to a tally by the Department of Health on Wednesday. -MDM, GMA News