President Rodrigo Roa Duterte joined the commemoration Thursday of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War honoring Filipino soldiers who defended freedom and democracy.

“Today, we honor the Filipinos and soldiers of all nations who fought valiantly in that war. There is no other way,” President Duterte said in his message.

“We must recognize bravery is not easy to muster. We must remember heroism very seldom seen, and we must reaffirm values so sacred. They form the bedrock of our special bilateral ties.”

“As the world faces emerging challenges yet, let the memory of those who fell in Korean War inspire us all to rise together jointly in solidarity.”

The Philippines sent more than 7,000 young Filipino soldiers to join allies in the Korean War. They saw action in the Battle of Yultong and Eerie Hill.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean People’s Army invaded South Korea.

The United Nations (UN), with the United States (US) as the principal participant, joined the war siding with the South Koreans while China supported North Korea.

The fighting, which killed at least 2.5 million people, ended through an armistice in July 1953. Today, the two Koreas are still divided into two hostile states. PND