As the nation celebrates the National Heroes Day tomorrow, August 26, Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel is seeking to rename the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Quezon City from Camp Emilio Aguinaldo to Camp Antonio Luna.
Pimentel said he has filed House Bill No. 4047 seeking to change the name of the AFP camp in honor of Luna.
“Camp Antonio Luna in the municipality of Limay in the province of Bataan, which is home to the Office of the Director of the Government Arsenal under the Department of Defense, shall hereafter be known and referred to as Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,” the measure read.
It seeks to amend Republic Act No. 4434, the 1965 law that changed the headquarter’s name from Camp Frank Murphy to Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.
“Luna has been described by historians as the most brilliant and capable of the Filipino generals during the Philippine-American War,” Pimentel said.
Luna, who was then only 32 years old, was the chief of staff of the Philippine Revolutionary Army for 134 days during the Philippine-American War until his assassination on June 5, 1899.
“Luna deserves greater recognition for his patriotism and military prowess,” the Surigao del Sur lawmaker said.
“Our bill seeks to honor and accord ‘The Fiery General’ the nobler distinction and prominence that he rightfully deserves,” he added.
He said Aguinaldo has been fittingly honored over the years, with a 41.4-kilometer national thoroughfare has also been named after him.
“We are counting on our bill, once enacted, to rouse all Filipinos, especially our soldiers across the three military branches – the Army, the Air Force and the Navy – to emulate and live up to Luna’s positive qualities, particularly his strong love of country and exceptional military skills,” Pimentel said.
