Duterte backs naming airport after Lapu-Lapu

President Rodrigo Duterte expressed intent to rename the Mactan-Cebu International Airport after national hero LapuLapu.

“You know what Magellan was the first invader to set foot in the Philippines, it was LapuLapu who fought,” Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino in a recorded chance interview with reporters in Manila on National Heroes Day yesterday.

The president lamented how Lapu-Lapu was not properly honored. He claimed that there is a hotel and fish named after him but not a landmark.

Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island in Cebu is named after the hero and a shrine with a bronze statue of him in Barangay Punta Engaño in the same city.

“Why should we name [the airport] after foreigners who only go here (in Philippines) to invade (our country)?” Duterte said in Filipino.

To rename the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to LapuLapu International Airport, Duterte would have to issue an executive order.

Lapu-Lapu was considered as one of the first native leaders and among the greatest figures of ancient Philippine history for refusing to acknowledge the sovereignty of Spain.

He is also considered as the “hero of Mactan” and conqueror of Magellan after he led the battle on April 27, 1521.

The battle of Mactan led to the death of Magellan, a Spanish navigator and soldier.

Last month, Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11040, which declares April 27 of every year as LapuLapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu.

The law declares April 27 a special working public holiday throughout the country and a special nonworking holiday in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Prior to this, the president also signed Executive Order No. 17 (EO 17) last year, creating the Order of Lapu-Lapu to recognize individuals who contributed to his campaigns against illegal drugs and illegal gambling as well as against graft and corruption.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu seeks to reward the efforts and sacrifices of the officials and personnel of the government and private citizens who gave “invaluable” or “extraordinary” service in relation to the president’s campaign.