By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

“Ang bawat Pilipino ay karapat-dapat na paglingkuran. Ang ating soberanya ay karapat-dapat na ipagtanggol.”

These two sentences effectively capture the essence of what the National Heroes’ Day continues to symbolize in this day and age, amid a backdrop of omnipresent challenges.

This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Monday, honoring the courage of Filipinos who offered countless sacrifices in the service of the Motherland.

In celebration of the solemn occasion, the President recognized the heroism of countless figures that took part in the revolution that brought about the freedom being enjoyed by the nation and the citizenry today.

He went on by enumerating the new faces that continue to carry forward the spirit of heroism in the modern era:

• Overseas Filipino workers
• Firefighters
• Police officers
• Military personnel
• Emergency responders
• Healthcare Workers
• Teachers
• Parents
• Foster Parents
• Fisherfolk

Apart from these figures, President Marcos Jr. also recognized the efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), who continue to assert the nation’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

“Ilan lamang sila sa maraming mukha ng kabayanihan sa ating panahon, sapagkat sa iba’t ibang paraan at sa bawat pagkakataon, may mga Pilipinong patuloy na nagsasakripisyo, naglilingkod, at gumagawa ng kabutihan—para sa kapwa, para sa bayan.”

On upholding territorial rights adherent to international law

In the latter half of his speech, President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the country’s commitment to uphold the 2016 Arbitral Award that recognizes the nation’s maritime entitlement under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

While a decade has passed since the Philippines bagged this ruling in support of the domestic interests, the government continues to champion its rights over the hotly-disputed waters of WPS in a peaceful, diplomatic, and law-abiding manner.

It is through the spirit of this legal decision that the President interpreted the lens of heroism under his leadership, which is focused on safeguarding the resources and deepening the understanding of the underlying historical context that makes the WPS a part of the Philippine territory.

President Marcos Jr. urged the citizenry, “Defending our territory is a responsibility shared by the entire nation. It calls on each of us to understand our history, to know our rights, and to take part in protecting the national interest.

We begin by educating the youth on where our maritime rights come from and why they matter. Across every platform available to us, we must champion truth, counter disinformation, and encourage responsible discourse.”

The Chief Executive concluded by reiterating the importance of upholding the integrity of institutions by citing transparency, accountability, and a high standard of service as the true foundations of a strong nation.

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