President Rodrigo Duterte didn’t hide his tears while watching a montage of photos of slain soldiers tagged as ‘Marawi Heroes’ and the families they left behind.
The video was presented during the commemoration of National Heroes Day on Monday, August 28.
In the photos posted by Presidential Communications of the Philippines Facebook fan page, President Rodrigo Duterte who’s beside Vice President Leni Robredo was saw crying while remembering the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Several netizens reacted to the photos of President Rodrigo Duterte and noticed the expression of Vice President Leni Robredo while the ‘iron fisted’ leader showed his soft side in public again.
While the netizens praised Duterte after he showed sympathy to the slain soldiers and their families, they criticized Vice President Robredo and accused her of not showing any emotions while playing the video dedicated the the heroes of Marawi.
President Duterte also led the awarding of the Order of Lapu-Lapu to Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido and the fallen heroes of Marawi, of Jolo, Sulu and in other places in the country fighting terrorism and subversion of the New People’s Army and the ISIS-Maute terror groups in Lanao.
“Today, we confer the Order of Lapu-Lapu on individuals who rendered extraordinary service to our country… I cannot thank them enough for their valuable service to our nation, and we shall forever be in [their] debt,” he said.
The President ended his speech by expressing confidence that the country would hurdle the difficulties it is facing.
“In the face of the difficulties we are facing as a nation, I am confident that we can overcome the challenges and emerge triumphant for the simple reason that it is through tough times that heroes like you are made,” he said.
