PASIG CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte and Israeli Ambassador His Excellency Ilan Fluss led the International Holocaust Remembrance Day this morning.

The Holocaust — which killed six million Jewish people in Europe in the 1930s to 1940s, is considered the world’s largest genocide in human history. The execution was commanded by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Duterte, in her message during the solemn commemoration at the Department of Education Central Office, said that the act of hate should never be forgotten, and that “we encouraged schools in the Philippines to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day.”

“But we must remember. We must not forget the names and faces of the victims, the families torn apart, and the communities destroyed. We must remember so that we may never forget the dangers of hate and intolerance,” she said.

“We are responsible for ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust and the stories of its survivors are passed on to future generations. We must ensure that these stories are not lost so we can learn from them and prevent such atrocities from happening again,” she added.

Ambassador Fluss, who shared his family’s experience of the Holocaust, thanked the Vice President for her commitment to teach the lessons of the holocaust to the younger generations for them to grow as peacebuilders.

“I thank you Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education Sara Duterte-Carpio and your team for being our partner for leading and organizing this commemorative event and for making this day a formal of commemorating the holocaust in all DepEd schools and facilities,” he said.

The Israeli Ambassador also paid tribute to late and former President Manuel Quezon’s Open Door Policy which offered asylum to the targeted Jews.

“The Philippines is a shining light. President Quezon welcomed over 1,300 Jewish refugees into the Philippines in 1939,” the Ambassador added.

The commemoration included lighting of six candles for the six million Jewish men, women, and children who perished in the Holocaust.

OVP MEDIA