His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III;
His Excellency Harry K. Thomas Jr., Ambassador of the United States of America;
Honorable Members of the Cabinet;
Distinguished Veterans and Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is a great honor for me to join you on this day, commemorating all the brave Filipinos.
Seventy one years has passed since then. Today, I wish to pay my greatest tribute to those who endured hardship and pains and solemnly pray for those souls who lost lives under ultimate plight. One of the survivors, Corban K. Alatado, remembered that “what mattered then was an end to suffering”(Under Japanese Rule Memories and Reflection, edited by Renato Constantino). I hereby express our heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse for such inexplicable suffering.
Jose Rizal said “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan” (he who does not look back to where he came from will not get to where he’s going).
The Japanese have looked back to be here today. In 1977 in Manila, then-Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda announced the Fukuda Doctrine. Japan will never become a military power, Japan will cooperate with the ASEAN as an equal partner, and Japan will build a “heart-to-heart relationship” with the people of Asia. We have adhered to this doctrine to this day.
Words are like clouds, deed is the rain – my Egyptian friends like to say. Our track record during the last seven decades shows that we have learned the lessons of history. The Filipinos can see it. H.E President Aquino, in his Bataan Day speech last year, said “The country we once considered an enemy is now a trusted friend.” Indeed, this is exactly what the Japanese will say to the Americans.
The United States is our closest ally. Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S. are strengthening our alliance and deepening our collaboration in order to create a free and democratic environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
It is the responsibility of our generation and those who follow us to continue on this path. By sharing fundamental values such as democracy, freedom, respect for human rights, and rule of law, we work together to find common ground. Peace and prosperity for all is what we seek.
Lalo pa nating pagyamanin ang ating matapat at kahanga-hangang pagkakaibigan (Let us further develop our wonderful relationship together as true friends).
Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!
Mabuhay tayong lahat !
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