This was the statement made by Michael Klecheski, charge d’ affaires of US Embassy, during the observance of 75th Araw ng Kagitingan (National Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) in Bataan on Sunday.
As reported by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), President Rodrigo Duterte, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa and Klecheski offered wreaths at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in honor of the war veterans.
Recalling the alliance of Filipino and American troops against invading Japanese forces in World War II, Klecheski said: “Filipinos today continue to draw strength from the forged binds built decades ago by brave Filipino and American men and women who fought with honor during those desperate weeks of 1942.”
“Allies in war 75 years ago, ours is a really powerful alliance that stood the test of time, but it has been enhanced by legacy of the era,” he said.
The two countries have since build a strong relationship with Japan and now that the challenge of international terrorism has emerged, the US is calling for a united front.
Klecheski said these nations are unified in fighting the scourge of terrorism that plagues the Philippines that continues to stave off further international investments.
“We must also remember the importance of standing together as the Philippines and United States have done in many, many decades,” he said.
“We must recommit to continue standing together as the close allies that our two countries have been,” he added.
The diplomat said “the Philippines, US, Japan and other countries have forged a rulesbased order in Asia that has created stability, which nations must continue to defend.”
Today, Japan and Southeast Asian nations confront regional maritime issues and extremism with reports on piracy in Philippine waters and secessionism in the country’s south.
“We must also remember the horrors of war and we must remember the importance of striving for peace,” Klecheski said.
