Ambassador's remarks at the 58th Anniversary of the Leyte Landing, Oct.28

MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park
October 20, 2002

Good morning Governor Petilla, Secretary Reyes, Mayor Diamante, esteemed members of the diplomatic corps and veterans. I am honored and delighted to be with you this morning to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the Gulf of Leyte Landings - a moment of great importance in the War in the Pacific and the most indelible moment in the long historic friendship between the people of the Philippines and the people of the United States.

Our commemoration today of General Douglas MacArthur's heroic return to the Philippines inspires us as we experience renewed vigor in U.S. - Philippine relations. Since the outbreak of the Global War on Terror just over a year ago, our nations have grown closer than in any other period since MacArthur's time. Sustained by shared goals in building our mutual security and economic prosperity, our revitalized relationship can only continue to mature. 

Throughout his exile from the Philippines, MacArthur never forgot the land he had worked so courageously to defend. US forces based in Australia were in constant communication with Filipino guerrillas who paved the way for the successful landing in Leyte. In MacArthur's words, he landed here, 58 years ago this morning, to "Discharge a great national obligation". 

Our obligation today is to reaffirm and to revitalize the important U.S. - Philippine friendship and to carry it to full maturity. The cornerstones of our friendship are mutual security, prosperity, and service to our people: Our commitment to each other remains as unshakable as was MacArthur's.

Since the terrible events of September 11, our mutual security has been threatened on many fronts. In our darkest hour, immediately following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President Arroyo contacted President Bush to reaffirm that the Philippines remains America's staunchest ally. MacArthur would feel gratified by the modern Philippines' staunch reciprocation of the American commitment that he personified. 

Over the past year, the Philippines and the United States have made great strides in building our mutual security. Initiatives such as President Macapagal-Arroyo's promotion of regional counter-terrorism cooperation and the passage of the anti-money laundering legislation have complemented U.S. efforts to promote security in the region. The recently ended Balikatan exercises, in which U.S. forces helped train the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were a great success and will have a lasting impact on efforts to secure peace in the southern Philippines. President Bush and President Macapagal-Arroyo have made clear that we will continue our counter-terrorism cooperation until our mission is achieved. Together, as in MacArthur's time, our people will triumph over an adversary that is determined to destroy our freedoms.

We are justly proud of the bravery of our allied armed forces, from the War in the Pacific of our fathers to the Global War on Terrorism today and remain bound to support our men and women in arms. But Presidents Arroyo and Bush have made clear that we are no less bound to fight poverty, as the seed bed of internal terrorism. On that front, I am proud to inform the citizens of Tacloban that your city is the site of an important initiative of the United States A.I.D. Yesterday and today, Governor Petilla's province played host to the Credit Union Empowerment & Strengthening (CUES) conference supported by US A.I.D. I shall be visiting that conference in a few minutes after we conclude this morning's ceremony here. I'll also meet with our Peace Corps volunteers. 

Fifty-eight years ago, a group of brave Filipinos, Americans, and our allies represented here risked their lives so that we can each enjoy the freedom, democracy, and peace that we all share today. These men achieved victory through faith, tenacity and cooperation - values that we still espouse and hold dear. I am hopeful that decades from now our descendents will take time to reflect upon the remarkable accomplishments of U.S. - Philippine cooperation early in the 21st century - stamping out terrorism, eradicating poverty, and building upon the legacies of MacArthur, Quezon, Osmena and Romulo of making the world safe for freedom and democracy.  
 

Mabuhay and Magandang Umaga.