Lanao sultanate hails heroism of Filipinos in Araw ng Kagitingan

MASIU, Lanao del Sur – The people of Masiu, Lanao del Sur and the Sultanate of Masiu, remember the heroism of the people in Mindanao, particularly the Maranaos here.

Datu Topaan Disomimba, Al Haj, Sultan of Masiu and Chairman of the 16 Royal Houses of Lanao, during a gathering of the Sultanate here Sunday, said that the Araw ng Kagitingan is a symbol of courage for the people of Mindanao and for all Filipinos who fought for democracy.

The Sultanate expressed concern over the “weakening of traditional values in the formation of character and the understanding of national goals as one country, one people.”

A businessman, Manaros Simbaan, Datu-a-Cabugatan sa Masiu, said that as the celebration of the Araw ng Kagitingan is observed, the Sultanate remembers the courage and heroism of Maranaos in their fight against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II as experienced by those who fought for the Sultanate of Tamparan and Sultanate of Taraka in Lanao del Sur.

“The untold hardship and courage of Maranaos in their defense of freedom and democracy have not been recorded in history books but are always remembered by the people of Lanao,” Manaros said.