VP Sara: Let’s not surrender our freedom to 'traitors'

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday called on the nation not to surrender its freedom to traitors and those who do not care about the country.

“Hindi tayo lumaya para muling mawalan ng karapatan at maging alipin ng iilan. Ipinagmalaki natin sa mundo ang kalayaan ng mga Pilipino. Huwag nating isuko ang kalayaang ito sa mga taksil at walang malasakit sa ating mamamayan at sa ating bayan,” Duterte said in a video message for the country's 127th Independence Day. 

(We didn’t become free only to lose our rights again and be slaves to others. We boast of our freedom to the world. Let us not surrender this freedom to traitors and those who have no regard for our people and our country.)

Duterte, who is currently in Malaysia for a personal trip with her family, emphasized that the freedom that Filipinos enjoy today is the result of the love of the national heroes for the country.

“Paglapastangan sa alaala ng ating mga bayani ang pagyakap sa kultura ng pagkaalipin. Paglapastangan sa diwa ng kalayaan ang pagsasawalang bahala sa paghihirap ng maraming pamilyang Pilipino at ang paglabag sa mga karapatan at sa batas,” said Duterte.

(Embracing the culture of slavery is disrespect to the memory of our heroes. Ignoring the suffering of many Filipino families and violating our rights and the law is disrespect to our freedom.) 

According to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte is scheduled within the day to attend the Independence Day celebration and engage in a program consultation with overseas Filipino workers in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur

On Facebook, PDP-Laban said Duterte was joined by allies during the Independence Day celebration with OFWs in Malaysia.

Seen with the Vice President were Senator Robin Padilla, PDP-Laban President, PDP-Laban Deputy Secretary General for the Visayas Jayvee Hinlo, PDP- Laban Arbitration Committee Chairperson, Jimmy Bondoc, Dr. Richard Mata, and Senator Imee Marcos. —VAL/RF, GMA Integrated News