Labor secretary hails Pacto de Sangre heroes
NEW WASHINGTON, Aklan – Labor Secretary Arturo Brion hailed the sacrifices of Pacto de Sangre or Blood Compact heroes to liberate their countrymen from the Spanish colonial forces.
Brion was the guest speaker of the 111thyear Pacto de Sangre anniversary celebration held at Sitio Kuntang, Ochando, New Washington, Aklan. The town is also the birthplace of the late Roman Catholic prince Jaime Cardinal Sin.
The Katipuneros who expressed their grievances against the Spanish government on March 3, 1897 were Romualdo Dalida, Isidro Jimenez, Cornelio Delfin, Valeriano Dalida, Benito Motus, Albino Rabaria, Teodorico Motus and Juan Dalida.
"The heroism of these Aklanons in their struggle for Philippine Independence and the blood they spilled will serve as an inspiration to our youth and a defining moment of our rich history of revolutionary martyrs," Brion said.
Valeriano Dalida and Isidro Jimenez were among the XIX Martyrs of Aklan executed by Spanish authorities on March 23, 1897 together with Gen. Francisco Castillo and Candido Iban
They were also the pioneers of the propaganda campaign of the Katipunan and were instrumental in the suppression of the atrocities committed towards the patriots of Aklan.
The event was also graced by New Washington Mayor Edgar Peralta, Ambassador Reynaldo Parungao, Jr., Vice mayor Jean Velarde and Brenda Lorenzo-Dimayuga, an outstanding Aklanon for Business and Industry for 2005.
A shrine was erected in Ochando, New Washington, Aklan to mark the site where the Katipuneros wounded their wrists and used their blood to sign a document to revolt against the control of Spanish rule.
"These men inscribed their names in blood because of the warmth of their devotion, the crimson brand of their courage and their readiness to lay down their lives that the motherland may be free. To these intrepid men who never reckoned the cost of freedom may be regained and whose memory is a benediction," the memoriam in the Pacto de Sangre shrine reads.