‘We’re now fighting common enemies’

President Arroyo lauded yesterday the unity of the Philippines, the United States and Japan in the struggle against the "common enemies" of poverty and international terrorism.

"Once again, Filipino and American soldiers are working side by side to make the world a safer place for all of us. And in this fight, Japan is equally our partner," the President said during the Araw ng Kagitingan rites at the Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan yesterday.

The Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites were held at the Dambana ng Kagiti-ngan (Altar of Valor) dedicated to the memory of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who died in the Battle of Bataan in April 1942.

The President was joined by dignitaries and local and foreign war veterans who witnessed the fall of Bataan 60 years ago yesterday.

"The Fall of Bataan involved three nations that are today’s partners for peace, development and security. From mortal combat in these mountains and fields, we have now converged into an alliance against poverty and terrorism for progress and prosperity in this part of the world," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"The twin wars against terrorism and poverty are a struggle that may even be more formidable than the wars of the past and we cannot relent until we finish the enemy decisively and permanently," she added.

The President also cited the role of Japan in the global war against poverty and terrorism.

"We were enemies during World War II but today, Japan is the Philippines’ foremost ally in our war against poverty because it is by far our biggest source of official development assistance," she said.

In a speech before the President’s address, Japanese Ambassador Yosihisa Ara apologized anew for his country’s role in the Pacific War.

"It is my solemn duty to reiterate on behalf of my government and people of Japan our deep remorse and heart-felt apology for our part during that painful time of history," Ara said.

"Our nations, the Republic of the Philippines, the United States and Japan have successfully forged our unshakable friendship and solid cooperation to promote stability and economic and social development in this part of the world," he said.

At the same time, Mrs. Arroyo also cited the country’s decades-old alliance with the US even as troops from both countries conduct military exercises against Abu Sayyaf bandits who are still holding hostage Filipina nurse Deborah Yap and American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.

"We are honored by the presence of our American allies," she said. "We shared battles and struggles across decades and today, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in yet another historic fight, the fight against terrorism."

US Ambassador Francis Joseph Ricciardone, for his part, noted that, just as older soldiers did in World War II, Filipino and American soldiers are again standing together against a common enemy.

"At this time, under the leadership of President Arroyo and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, once again Filipino and American young men and women, our best and your best, are standing together, shoulder to shoulder, to confront a common enemy," he said.

"An enemy whose face is fear, and ignorance, fanaticism, corruption and poverty, an enemy known as international terrorism. We’re proud to stand together ... in confronting that enemy, and we’re extremely confident that together we will overcome that enemy," Ricciardone added.

The US envoy also read the proclamation of US President George W. Bush commemorating the National Prisoner of War Recognition Day, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the fall of Bataan.