THE local Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, in partnership with the Zamboanga City Government, has lined up an activity to commemorate the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan on Tuesday, April 9.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the activities that will be held at the Freedom Memorial Shrine on Rizal Street.
The commemoration will kick-off at 7 a.m. with the flag raising ceremony at the Rizal Park fronting City Hall.
Salazar will be assisted during the flag raising ceremony by officials from the Western Mindanao Command, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Tactical Operations Command, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard District, and Veterans Federation of the Philippines.
The flag ceremony will be followed by the wreath-laying and commemorative program at the Freedom Fighters Memorial Shrine.
The Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the heroism of Filipinos and American soldiers when the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II.
Major General Edward P. King, of the United States Army, was forced to surrender more than 76,000 Filipinos, Chinese and American soldiers to the Japanese at dawn of April 9, 1942, according to historical records.
Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, will give an inspirational message during the commemorative program.
April 9 is a non-working holiday nationwide in commemoration of the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor. (SunStar Philippines)