Mayor John Dalipe has urged the residents of the city to use the freedom that the heroes of Bataan fought for “to serve those who are in need.”

Dalipe made the call as he led the commemoration of the 81st Araw ng Kagitingan here on Monday with family members of World War II (WWII) and post-war veterans in attendance.

He said the Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor commemorates the special day for the country in military history since “it rekindles our patriotism, sovereignty and statehood.”

It commemorates the heroism of some 64,000 Filipinos and 12,000 American soldiers, who were forced to walk 140 kilometers from Bataan province to Tarlac province when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during WWII, Dalipe said.

Of the 76,000, only around 54,000 reached their destination.

“In remembering and commemorating our women and men who sacrificed their lives for our country, the utmost best we can do is to be worthy of the freedom they have fought for and died for,” Dalipe said in his message.

“Let us use this freedom to serve those who are in need. Let us use our God-given gifts to better serve our country and to pass the torch of patriotism to the next generation with its flame still very much alive,” he added.

He noted that one of the 2,952 WWII veterans who are still alive is from Zamboanga Peninsula. He is Private First Class Mamerto Pacardo, 104, and presently residing in the town of Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte province.

Raul Roldan, chairperson of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines-Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), said he did not require Pacardo to attend the program here since he is too old to endure long-distance travel.

“Being the only World War II veteran from the region alive, I wish he could live longer,” Roldan said.

This year’s Araw ng Kagitingan is anchored in the theme “Kagitingan ng mga Beterano, Pundasyon ng Magkakaisang Pilipino.” (PNA)