Manila, June 12 -- The men and women of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) joined all Filipino citizens in commemorating the 127th anniversary of the country's independence.

"Today, we pay tribute to our forebears who valiantly fought for our freedom, liberated us from the shackles of colonization, and sparked the flame of nationalism that has continued to burn brightly in our hearts for the past 127 years," OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a statement Thursday.

Galvez said he hopes all Filipinos draw strength and inspiration from the nation's heroes who have blazed a path and "built the foundations of our comprehensive Philippine peace process."

"We can honor the sacrifices ma...