For Roque, Duterte is the modern-day Lapulapu
By Deighton Acuin
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| PHOTO: PCOO |
For Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte is the “Lapulapu of the modern age.”
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (is) my modern day Lapulapu lalong-lalo na po sa kanya polisiya na independent foreign policy dahil ibig sabihin po niyan kaibigan natin ang lahat. Wala tayong kaaway, wala po siyang sinasantong mga dayuhan,” he said.
Roque made the remark as the Philippines commemorating the 500th year of Mactan Victory in which Lapulapu fought with Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.
Moreover, Roque likened the struggles experienced by Lapulapu to the COVID-19 crisis, as many Filipinos can have victory if everyone is united.
He further revealed that Duterte wants to change a name of a Lapulapu fish, adding it demeans the first Filipino hero.
Through the years of his presidency, Duterte has been criticized for his stand over the contested waters in the West Philippine Sea.
The President failed to make his 2016 presidential promise to have a jetski ride and to put the Philippine flag within the exclusive economic zone regardless of China’s next move.
It was on April 27, 1521 when Lapulapu of Cebu defeated Magellan who arrived on the island to explore more lands, spices, and to spread Christianity.
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