DEFENDING FREEDOM Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) Deputy Director for Operations, Brig. Gen. Archival Macala, leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the historic Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City during the celebration of the country’s 126th Independence Day on Wednesday (June 12, 2024). In his message, Macala said Independence Day is a fitting venue to renew their commitment to defend the country's freedom. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ILOILO CITY – Iloilo’s provincial government marked the celebration of Independence Day with the raising of one of the biggest Philippine flags outside of Luzon and wreath-laying before the monument of Ilonggo revolutionary, Gen. Martin Delgado, in the town of Sta. Barbara.
Iloilo Public Employment Service Office manager Francisco Heler Jr., who currently sits as OIC governor, led the simple ceremony, highlighting that the event is more meaningful to Ilonggos because of the Cry of Sta. Barbara, which took place five months after Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence.
“The Cry of Sta. Barbara holds a significant place in the history of the Philippine struggle for independence. Ilonggo revolutionaries, led by Ilonggo Sta. Barbaranhon Gen. Martin Delgado, raised the Philippine flag for the first time outside Luzon, here in Sta. Barbara,” Heler said.
“It was an act of unity and determination of the Filipino people, transcending regional boundaries and contributing to the collective identity that was vital in the fight for independence.”
A delegation from Iloilo, led by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., also joined the flag-raising ceremony at the Pambansang Bantayog ni Jose Rizal in Manila on Wednesday morning and will showcase the Cry of Sta. Barbara during the float parade in the afternoon.
“Iloilo province is among the LGUs selected to participate in the float parade for having a historical event associated with the establishment of the First Philippine Republic,” a statement from the provincial government said.
Meanwhile, members of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) renewed their commitment to defend freedom and democracy as the country commemorated its 126th Independence Day.
PRO-6 Deputy Director for Operations, Brig. Gen. Archival D. Macala, during a short ceremony at the historic Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be aggressive in fighting criminalities, terrorism, and abuses.
“Our theme, ‘Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.,’ is truly fitting and appropriate considering the numerous local and foreign forces that threaten our integrity as a sovereign and independent nation,” Macala said.
“Hence, this program is, indeed, a powerful and effective venue for us to renew our commitment to defending the freedom and independence our forefathers have afforded us and our progeny.”
He added that the destiny of the PNP service would “forever be interwoven with our nation's fight against oppression and subjugation.”
Macala also noted the significance of Plaza Libertad to the regional office.
“The Plaza Libertad is where the flag of the Philippine Republic was first unfurled and raised after the surrender of Spaniards on Christmas Eve of 1898 to Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado, the man whom our headquarters is named after,” he said. PNA
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