Marcos: PH will stand against oppressors

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippines will stand against oppression amid “unacceptable” and “unjust” threats to the country’s sovereign rights that “have already caused physical harm to our people.”

In his speech during the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites in Pilar, Bataan, Marcos called on the Filipinos to never allow oppressors in the country’s “own backyard,” much like how their forebears fought bravely for freedom and independence.

“Eighty-two years on, our nation remains confronted with novel challenges, in varying forms and degrees, but with the same existential impact. Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights and, in fact, have already caused physical harm to our people,” Marcos said.

SALUTE TO THE FALLEN President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. troops the line during the 82nd Anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor with the theme ‘Honoring Veterans for a United Filipino People’ at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The nation commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan in remembrance of the Fall of Bataan when Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to the Japanese during World War II. PPA POOL PHOTO

“These are unacceptable. They are unreasonable and unjust, especially at a time when countries are peacefully working with each other,” he added.

The President expressed hope that the bravery of Filipinos who fought in World War II inspires the youth and the next generations to stand up for the country.

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“Just like what our ancestors did, we should not be subjugated and oppressed, especially within our own backyard,” Marcos said.

The President also said the nation must leverage the lessons from the past “if we are to safeguard the future of our Republic.” He added that the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes “must galvanize us, and strengthen our national consciousness and our patriotic spirit.”

“Ours is a complicated world today, but we must not yield. We must not back down from any and all challenges that seek to threaten our peace, our honor, and our very existence,” he added.

While the President did not specify any incident, the speech came a month after the China Coast Guard injured Filipino crew members in a water cannon attack in Ayungin shoal, a maritime feature within the West Philippine Sea.

His speech came two days after the Philippines completed a joint maritime drill with Japan, the United States and Australia.

The four countries deployed ships and aircraft in Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the first “Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity.” The exercise was staged in response to Beijing’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

On Sunday, China held its own naval and air patrol in the disputed waters. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the exclusive economic zone of Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. troops the line during the 82nd Anniversary of the ‘Araw ng Kagitingan’ or Day of Valor with the theme ‘Honoring Veterans for a United Filipino People’ at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The nation commemorates ‘Araw ng Kagitingan’ in remembrance of the ‘Fall of Bataan,’ when Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to the Japanese during World War II. NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL

Later this week, Marcos will join US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss issues, including the recent incidents in the South China Sea.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea have increased since Marcos assumed the presidency.

The President has repeatedly declared that the Philippines would not yield a single inch of its territory.

In a Day of Valor message earlier released by Malacañang, the President urged Filipinos to “stand by our cherished freedoms and principles” amid “foul forces” threatening the country.

He said that while this day signifies a loss for the country when Bataan fell to Japanese troops during World War II, it also demonstrates how the Philippines could rise again.

“Foul forces continue to threaten us outside and within, endangering the hard-fought gains we made for our country. There are times when our struggles seem too complex or too daunting,” the President said.

“Still, it is precisely during those moments that we must stand by our cherished freedoms and principles, perform our tasks with utmost dedication and diligence, and fight fiercely for a better life and a brighter future,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos said his administration is “doubling” its efforts to enhance their operational capability.

“We must, therefore, also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment,” the President said.

Marcos also tasked the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to “assess” and “submit a report” on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment.

“These measures aim to show our unwavering support to our soldiers as they face new and growing challenges,” he added.

The President also ordered a study on the prevailing benefits for soldiers permanently disabled in the line of duty to ensure that they are “commensurate to their sacrifices.”

“The present-day Armed Forces continue this noble duty of safeguarding our nation’s security and our sovereignty,” Marcos said.

“And in recognition of their bravery and sacrifices, I am directing the Defense, Budget, and Finance departments to study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty to see if these are commensurate to the sacrifices they have made and submit their recommendation while taking stock of the national government’s position,” he added.

Demilitarization

Meanwhile, a leftist party-list lawmaker warned that tensions between China and the Philippines would escalate following the recent joint maritime drills.

Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. France Castro said in a recorded video interview with The Manila Times that the province of Batanes would be a “target” of China if the tension between the United States and China escalates over Taiwan.

Protesters hold an effigy of Chinese President Xi Jin Ping in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 as they condemn Beijing’s repeated harassment of Filipino fisherfolk and Philippine supply missions in the West Philippine Sea. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

She said she was concerned about the impact the Balikatan exercises would have on the environment and the peace in the community, saying the country was being drawn into the rivalry between the US and China.

Castro also pointed out that the province is not even a site of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington.

The Makabayan bloc lawmaker reiterated the call for the demilitarization of the WPS.

Also on Tuesday, Sen. Imee Marcos, sister of the President, said the Philippines cannot wage a war empty-handed.

“We cannot even ensure the integrity of our weapons and ammunition production lines, yet some of us are engaged in warmongering,” she said.

Senator Marcos said a Commission on Audit report showed that the Government Arsenal (GA), a bureau under the Department of National Defense, failed to produce enough small arms and ammunition despite spending almost P455 million from its 2023 budget compared to only P87.4 million in 2022.

“This is sad news about basic weapons for our soldiers and policemen. Money is being wasted. Will the lives of our men in uniform be wasted as well?” the senator asked.

“And again, on this important day when we pay tribute to the valor of our soldiers in Bataan, I am pressing on with the need for us to revive the self-reliant defense posture program, which has long been overdue,” she said.

“Filipinos do not suffer from a lack of talent, skills or expertise to produce our own defensive weapons, but suffer from gross government neglect and a lack of appreciation for the importance of and wisdom in relying on ourselves for our defense,” Senator Marcos added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on Filipinos, especially her fellow public servants, to “stand with those who bear the brunt of China’s tyranny” in the West Philippine Sea.

“At a time when water cannons routinely attack and injure our uniformed personnel, there must be no room for ambiguity,” she said in her Araw ng Kagitingan message.

She said the brave Filipinos who defend the country’s sovereignty and protect the WPS “honor the lives of those before us who suffered and sacrificed in the name of our sovereignty.”

ARIC JOHN SY CUA AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

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