SAN JUAN CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday took oath as an honorary member of the Philippine Military Academy Bagong Anyo ng Buhay (Banyuhay) Class of 2002.

Also taking oath as new members were Senator Robin Padilla and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) Executive Leo Gonzales.

In her message to the class members, the Vice President paid tribute to the soldiers’ selfless service to the country.

“Your love of country scintillates brilliantly during times when we need light, inspiration, and courage to stand, serve, protect, and fight for our country and fellow men,” she said.

The Vice President cited Major Jericho Mangalus, who died along with Corporal Bryan Libot, in an ambush by members of the Maute terrorist group during the Marawi Siege in 2017.

“Let us not forget the heroism of Mangalus, who is a member of Banyuhay class, and all the other fallen soldiers who died fighting to ensure that Filipino families will sleep well tonight,” she said.

“Allow me to thank you for your role in the liberation of Marawi from the claws of the terrorists,” she added.

As the new adopted member, Duterte called on class members to “remain committed to the tenets of honor, justice, and bravery,”’ as the country transcends to post-pandemic recovery under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration.

“We will continue working together in increasing the capability of our military by seeking interventions that will foster our military’s excellent leadership while spearheading programs that will uplift the morale of our soldiers and promote the welfare of all our uniformed men and women,” she said.

The oath-taking of the three new class members was held on Banyuhay’s 21st graduation anniversary from the country’s premier military academy.

OVP Media