Former Senator Gordon Calls for Renewed Filipino Resolve on PEFTOK’s 75th Anniversary

Former Senator Richard J. Gordon has called on Filipinos to contribute actively toward restoring the Philippines’ past stature as a leading Asian nation in both economic and military prowess.

Speaking on the 75th anniversary of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK), Gordon commemorated the valor of Captain Conrado Yap and the thousands of Filipinos who served during the Korean War. He highlighted their sacrifices as a source of inspiration for all Filipinos to engage more deeply in nation-building efforts.

"Captain Yap was my kababayan from Candelaria, Zambales. He was only 30 years old," Gordon noted. "Like many who fought alongside him, they never had the chance to raise families. They served willingly for a greater cause: freedom, democracy, and the advancement of humanity."

Captain Yap’s heroism at Yultong Pass earned him the Philippines’ Medal of Valor, the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross, and in 2018, South Korea’s Taegeuk Order of Military Merit.

Gordon stressed the urgent need for Filipinos to elect leaders capable of restoring the nation’s former military and economic status. "There was a time when the Philippines was Asia’s premier power. Today, we are merely a memory of that period," he said. "We have become dependent on resources abroad, sending our best talents overseas, while other nations build their defense industries. The greater tragedy is not our poverty, but forgetting the sacrifices made to secure our freedom."

He urged citizens to reject complacency and invest in education, defense, and justice. "Stop wasting resources and elect leaders who truly serve the people—not entertainers playing the role of politicians. We should not wait for heroes to arise; we must embody heroism ourselves."

The anniversary event was attended by Korean Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Lee Sang-hwa, Carminda Arevalo of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator and Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu, military personnel, veterans, and their families.

Concluding his remarks, Gordon linked the sacrifices of PEFTOK to the enduring Filipino spirit of resistance, citing national icons from Lapu-Lapu to Jose Rizal, and culminating with Captain Yap’s ultimate sacrifice.

"Their message remains clear: the Filipino must never surrender," Gordon affirmed.