LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) — The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO) joined the nation in remembering the past and present-day heroes who have dedicated their lives to the country during the National Heroes’ Day celebration on Monday.
 
Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilmer Pagaduan, chief of the Lingayen Police Station, said this is a very important day in commemorating the known and lesser-known heroes who fought and sacrificed their lives for the country to achieve freedom and democracy.
 
Pagaduan urged everyone to spread the true meaning of heroism, to serve together, and to show love for the country and its people.
 
With this year's theme "Kabayanihan Tungo sa Pagkakaisa at Pag-unlad (Heroism Towards Unity and Progress)", the Pangasinan PPO also paid tribute to the self-sacrificing service of frontline workers at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
 
“As we celebrate this day, we do not only commemorate the past but we also pay respect to our modern day heroes – our frontliners who selflessly serve the community during the pandemic,” a message from police chief, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. read by Police Colonel Jeff Fanged, officer-in-charge of Pangasinan PPO, during the program.
 
"Guided by the peace and security framework dubbed MKK=K (Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan tungo sa Kaunlaran) and the KASIMBAYANAN program, let us continue to stand in solidarity as we work together for the full realization of the government’s aspiration of a safer, peaceful, more progressive, and stronger equitable society," Azurin added.
 
Fanged spearheaded the wreath-laying ceremony at the Lingayen Plaza to honor Filipino heroes for their love and sacrifices for the country.
 
The celebration of National Heroes’ Day is being held every last Monday of August.
 
The date was chosen as it marked the beginning of the Cry of Pugad Lawin in 1986, the start of the Philippine revolution against Spanish colonization. (JCR/AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)