PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called on the Filipinos to remain vigilant in protecting the country from “social ills and other elements that threaten our liberties.”
“The shackles that once held our forebears may no longer constrain us, but we must remain vigilant in protecting our country from social ills and other elements that threaten our liberties. I call on my fellow Filipinos to honor Bonifacio’s life of extraordinary selflessness by becoming dutiful and law-abiding citizens who will contribute towards a brighter and freer future for all Filipinos,” Marcos said in a separate statement on Wednesday.
In his speech at the 159th Birth Anniversary of Philippine national hero Andres Bonifacio in a wreath-laying ceremony held at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Marcos underscored that it is the duty of every Filipino to uphold the freedom and independence that the country’s national heroes including Bonifacio fought for.
Bonifacio was the founder of the Katipunan, who led the rebellion against Spain—Philippines’s former colonizer. He is called the “Father of the Philippine Revolution.”
“Kaya’t hinihikayat ko ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino na patuloy na parangalan si Bonifacio at ang lahat ng mga bayaning Pilipino, kilala man o hindi, na nag-alay ng kanilang buhay upang matiyak ang Kalayaan at pagkakakilanlan na siyang ipinagmamalaki natin ngayon,” Marcos said on Wednesday.
“Bilang mga tagapagmana ng kalayaang kanilang ipinaglaban, tungkulin natin bilang mga Pilipino na panatilihing buhay ang diwa ng kanilang mga layunin at siguruhing mapayapa, malaya, at masagana ang ating sambayanan,” the President added.
In following Bonifacio’s legacies, Marcos said every Filipino can be a hero in his or her own way. He also hailed the country’s modern-day heroes such as the doctors and overseas Filipino workers.
“Magagawa po natin ito sapagkat katuwang natin ang ating mga makabagong bayani—ang ating mga doktor, mga nars, mga sundalo, mga pulis, OFWs, at ang bawat Juan at Juana—na buong pusong naglilingkod para sa kapwa,” the chief executive said.
“Sama-sama nating harapin ang mga hamon ng panahon ngayon nang may pagmamahal sa bayan, determinasyon, tapang, [at] karangalan upang maitaguyod natin ang isang Pilipinas na tunay na nais natin ipagmalaki,” Marcos added.
He enjoined the Filipinos to be “the best kind of themselves” and imitate the loyalty and patriotism of Bonifacio.
According to the Office of the Press Secretary, the president was joined by other government officials including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, National Historical Commission Chairman Rene Escalante, members of the Senate and the Diplomatic Corps, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, Caloocan Rep. Oscar Malapitan and Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo G. Malapitan.
Image credits: Troi Santos