Gordon: Museum plan to remove Lapu-Lapu statue ‘disturbing’

MANILA, Philippines — The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)’s plan to remove the Lapu-Lapu monument in Rizal Park is “disturbing,” according to former senator Richard Gordon.

The Lapu-Lapu statue, known as “Sentinel of Freedom,” will be moved from Agrifina Circle to a still unknown location.

“The move is disturbing and disconcerting. Why would they move the Lapu-Lapu statue and where would they relocate it? Why did they do this without consulting the stakeholders?” Gordon said on July 10.

“The Lapu-Lapu statue was a gift by the Korean people through the Korean Freedom League, as an expression of appreciation and admiration for the Filipino people who fought and died by their side in their fight for democracy,” he explained.

Gordon had previously fought for the installation of the monument at the Agrifina Circle back in 2004.

He wants the NMP to convene a public consultation to find out their plans for the statue. ?Gordon recalled the sudden removal of the Relief Map of the Philippines in Rizal Park last month.

“The monument, after technical assessment as well as consultation with its sculptor, has been found to require structural repair relative to its internal frame and foundation which, due primarily to exposure to the elements, has apparently weakened to a degree that prompts concerns on our part regarding its continued preservation and integrity as well as of public safety should no action be taken,” NMP director-general Jeremy Barns told Gordon on July 4.

Gordon refuted Barns’ claim, saying that the move would only be an “unnecessary expense.”

“The government did not spend on the Sentinel of Freedom. It was a gift from the Korean people. It does not appear that you have clear and definitive plans for the Lapu-Lapu monument. Despite this, it appears that you commenced the destruction of the steps of the monument, thereby endangering its structural integrity. Thus, if the monument’s structural integrity had indeed been compromised, this is entirely your own doing,” he said.