Duterte pays tribute to frontliners amid COVID-19 pandemic on Heroes’ Day

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday paid tribute to the frontline workers amid the country’s raging battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them modern day heroes in his National Heroes’ Day message.

The new breed of heroes, the President said, includes health workers, uniformed personnel, government employees, and frontliners in essential industries.

“For selflessly risking their lives to ensure the survival of our society, I can confidently say they have more than earned their rightful place in the pedestal of heroes,” Duterte said.

“Let us consecrate this day not just as a memorial to their extraordinary heroism, but as enduring testament to our inherent capacity to rise above self-interest to fight for a cause far greater than our own,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea graced the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City and delivered the President's message.

In the message read by Medialdea, the President also honored the noble sacrifices of ancestors who fought for freedom and democracy.

“May we all learn from the valiant example of the past and present heroes and build on them to achieve a stronger future for all,” Duterte said.—AOL/RSJ, GMA News