‘Rizal Day a reminder Philippine no longer vassal state’

MANILA, Philippines — The commemoration of the death of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal reminds Filipinos of their “continuing revolution” against those who still view the Philippines as a vassal state, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said while Dec. 30 marks a “mournful day” in Philippine history, it is also a reminder of the fruits of the ultimate sacrifice of Rizal, who he said contributed “freedom from bondage” in the collective memory of Filipinos.

“December 30 of each year forms part of our collective imagination of our continuing revolution against those who still treat our nation as a vassal state,” Panelo said in his statement for Rizal Day.

Panelo did not identify the individuals or groups that regard the Philippines as a vassal state but he has used the term to assail foreigners who criticize President Duterte’s policies, including his controversial crackdown on illegal drugs.

Panelo said Rizal’s passing 123 years ago did not go to waste because it fueled the “re-awakening” of the Filipinos’ forefathers who stood up against the abuses of colonizers that extended for over three centuries.

Meanwhile the popularity of social media should also not be a reason for millennials and netizens to forget about the supreme sacrifice of Rizal, a lawmaker said.

Rep. Fidel Nograles of Rizal province’s second district called on Filipinos, especially the youth, to make use of the new digital platform to be aware of what is going on in their environment, just like the way Rizal did during his time in the late 1800s. 

The neophyte administration lawmaker urged the youth to maximize the benefits they can derive from the internet and use their knowledge of technology to create solutions to society’s problems. – With Delon Porcalla