Duterte skips Bonifacio Day commemoration

November 30, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend the commemoration of the 154th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio at his monument in Caloocan City on Thursday.

Instead, Duterte was represented by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana while Vice President Leni Robredo was present in the same event.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte has "commitment in Mindanao."

But he said he could not disclose it because Duterte was going to a "conflict-ridden area."

November 30 is a regular holiday in the Philippines to commemorate Bonifacio's birth anniversary.

According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in 1896, Bonifacio and his troops formally launched an armed revolution against Spain.

He was the third supremo of the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, a secret group which fought for the separation of the Philippines from Spain and the expulsion of the Spaniards in the country.

His disagreement with General Emilio Aguinaldo led to his death. Aguinaldo signed the death sentence against Bonifacio and his brother Procopio for the crime of sedition and they were shot at Mount Nagpatong, near Mount Buntis in Maragondon, Cavite on May 10, 1897.

This event ended the short life of the Supremo, the NHCP said. Celerina Monte/DMS