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President Aquino leads Rizal Day rites
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday led the commemoration rites for the 119th death anniversary of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, at the Luneta Park in Manila.
Shortly before 8 a.m., President Aquino arrived at the Rizal Park where he was given full military honors with a 21-gun salute.

He was received by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Hernando Iriberri, and Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada.

After he was ushered in front of the flagpole at the Rizal National Monument, the President led the flag-raising ceremony at exactly 8 a.m.

The flag-raising rites were done simultaneously nationwide.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and other ranking military and government officials joined the President in raising the flag, which was later flown at half mast for Rizal’s death anniversary.

At the last note of the Philippine national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”, the two newly acquired FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter jets conducted a high-speed pass, as one of the event’s highlights.

After the flag-raising ceremony, the President proceeded to the foot of Rizal’s monument to lay a wreath.

He was joined by General Iriberri and National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chair Maria Serena Diokno.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, two UH-1D helicopters showered flower petals over Rizal Park.

Before the ceremony ended, a full fly-by was conducted by 10 Cessna Trainer T41s, 15 Stelio Frati (SF) 260FHs, three Combat Utility Helicopters, five Augusta Westland (AW) 109 Helicopters of the Philippine Air Force, and three AW 109 Helicopters of the Philippine Navy.

The fly-by was capped by another high-speed pass of the two fighter jets, which the government acquired from South Korea.

After the event, the President had a brief conversation with the descendants of Rizal. PND (jb)

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