Independence Day

Over the years, I have been humbled by the invitation extended to me—either as a bona fide member of the oldest organization in the entire universe heretofore unknown to many, the Brotherhood of men under the Fatherhood of God which is Freemasonry or of the Knights of Rizal, Daet Chapter; or as a World War II guerrilla veteran—by the provincial government of Camarines Norte, through letters of museum curator Abel C. Icatlo, to raise the colors of the municipalities of the province every Independence Day celebration.

In this year’s anniversary of Philippine Independence, Icatlo again wrote me a letter inviting me, as post commander of Daet South-Imelda Veterans Post, to raise the municipal colors of Daet, capital town of Camarines Norte. The letter was dated May 28, 2009, but I received it only on June 11, 2009.

Icatlo also encouraged the display of flags/flaglets in conspicuous places in our homes, establishments, parks, offices and vehicles in connection with Republic Act 8491 declaring March 28 to June 12 as “Flag Days.”

However, it was a wonder why the museum curator tolerated the display in the capitol building of a Philippine flag desecrated by the superimposed words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal”—just like the one displayed last year, which got the ire of former President Ramos upon reading my letter to the editor. (Inquirer, 7/9/08)

President Ramos wrote the editor commending me and the Inquirer for calling the attention of authorities to the blatant violation of the Flag etiquette. (Inquirer, 8/4/09)

The Philippine Flag is displayed, except on Sundays, at the Daet headquarters of Daet South-Imelda Veterans Post. And in this year’s anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence Day, flaglets were also displayed at our gates, as encouraged by the museum curator.

—GODOFREDO O. PETEZA,
post commander,
Veterans Federation of the Philippines,
Daet South-Imelda Veterans Post
JP Rizal Street, Barangay Camambugan,
Daet, Camarines Norte