MANILA, March 8 -- Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Friday stressed anew the need to uphold the protection of women against insurgency and violence as the world marked International Women's Day.

In a prerecorded video, Duterte said it's crucial to discuss pressing issues that put women's welfare and lives at risk.

"Isaisip natin si Dr. Sharmaine Baroquillo na isang kawani ng pamahalaan na biktima ng karahasan at ang abogadang kasapi ng New People's Army na namatay sa Bohol habang pinaglalaban ang bulok na ideolohiya ng terorismo at pagpapabagsak sa pamahalaan (Let's remember Dr. Sharmaine Baroquillo, a government employee, a victim of violence, and the lawyer-member of the New People's Army [NPA] who died in Bohol ...