Duterte lauds Lapulapu on 501st anniversary of Mactan battle

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday hailed the leadership of Filipino hero Lapulapu during the 501st anniversary of the Victory at Mactan and called on Filipinos to rebuild a Philippines worthy of the sacrifices of heroes.

“The strong leadership of Lapulapu in the face of overwhelming odds earned him the well-deserved honor and distinction of being hailed as the first Philippine hero,” Duterte said in a speech delivered at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City.

“Let us rebuild a greater Philippines that is worthy of the sacrifices of our heroes, a legacy that they have left behind,” he added.

Republic Act 11040 declared April 27 of every year as a special working public holiday in the whole country and a special non-working holiday in Lapu-Lapu City to commemorate the victory of Lapulapu and his forces over the Spanish invaders in Mactan.

This year’s commemoration also marked the closing rites of the 2021 quincentennial commemorations in the Philippines, celebrating the 500th anniversary of key events in the country’s history.