Senator Gordon Calls On Filipinos To Be A Modern-Day Lapu-Lapu, Fight Illegal Drugs, Killings, Other Crimes
As the nation commemorates the 496th anniversary of the
Battle of Mactan, Senator Richard J. Gordon called on Filipinos to be modern-day
Lapu-Lapus and fight harder to free the country from illegal drugs, killings,
corruption and other crimes.
Senator Gordon pointed out that Lapu-Lapu, the ruler of
Mactan, was the first Asian to defeat the colonial invaders from the West after
he and his warriors overpowered and defeated a Spanish force fighting for Rajah
Humabon of Cebu, under the command of Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed in the
battle.
“Lapu-Lapu, even 496 years ago, refused to be cowed into
bowing to the colonial invaders and instead fearlessly chose to battle with
them. He and his warriors defeated the invaders despite their superior weapons.
His monument in Bagumbayan or Rizal Park has even been tagged as Asia’s
Sentinel of Freedom. Hence, like Lapu-Lapu, we must rise up against illegal
drugs, killings, corruption and other crimes that have invaded our country. Let
us borrow courage from Lapu-Lapu and ensure that we defeat the invaders,” the Senator said.
In a related
development, Senator Gordon has filed a bill proposing to change the rays of the
sun on the Philippine flag from eight to nine to symbolize the community of
Muslim leaders who defended the country throughout history.
“With their bravery, our Muslim heroes left an imprint on
national history that, at the very least, must be given due recognition in the
most heraldic item of national importance the Philippine flag. They are our
forgotten heroes, and through this proposal we seek to inculcate in the minds
and hearts of our people a just pride in their native Muslim brothers who sacrificed
their lives for the country's freedom,” he said.
The eight rays represent the first eight provinces that
revolted and were placed under martial law by the Spaniards during the start of
the Philippine Revolution in 1896, namely: Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna,
Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
Aside from Lapu-Lapu, among the most valiant soldiers were
Sultan Kudarat, who united the Muslim clans in Cotobato, Lanao, and Basilan,
and ruled for 50 years.
He led many raids and battles against the Spanish from 1634
up to 1668 and inspired the Maranaos to oppose the building of a Spanish fort
near Lake Lanao.
There was also the story of Sirongan, the Rajah of Buayan,
who successfully pushed back the enemy into the coast of Rio Grande, thwarting
the first Spanish attempt to colonize Buayan.
There were Kaliph Pulaka, Datu Amai Pakpak, Kapitan Laut
Buisan, Sultan Jamalu’l Alani, Sultan Muwallil Wasit, Paduka Batara and
Panginan Sarikula, who all fearlessly led their men in battles against the
Spanish.
“I first filed this bill in 2009 as a unifying piece of
legislation. Filipino Muslims were the first to fight foreign invaders and this
bill seeks to give them due recognition as we have recognized heroes from other
regions who valiantly fought foreign invaders. We almost got the bill passed in
the Fourteenth Congress, it was passed on the third reading in the Senate and
the second reading in the House of Representatives. I hope it will finally be
passed into law this Congress,” Senator Gordon said.
Source: Senator Dick Gordon FB Page
Senator Gordon Calls On Filipinos To Be A Modern-Day Lapu-Lapu, Fight Illegal Drugs, Killings, Other Crimes
Reviewed by Yen
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April 28, 2017
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