Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte on Independence Day encouraged Filipinos to unite for the country’s "glory and triumph."

"In the spirit of patriotism and love of the motherland exemplified by those who came before us, let us come together in unity for the glory and triumph of the Filipino nation," Duterte said.

The president further encouraged "meaningful discourse" without hatred and division.

"Even in exercising our most cherished freedoms, our differences can move us to engage in healthy yet meaningful discourse without sowing hatred and division, as well as push our country towards the right direction," he said.

"On this day more than a century ago, we have shown to the world our collective force and will as a people by compellingly repudiating colonial subjugation," he said. "While our path to true freedom has been long and tedious, our forefathers have walked the mile and made us pioneers of republican democracy in Asia."

According to Duterte, Filipinos have much to learn in the present as much as they did in the past

"While we draw strength from learning our past, we must continue believing that there is still wisdom to be gained from our present choices, decisions, and actions so we can shape a better future for our people."