President Marcos: PH won’t bow down to ‘external force’

MANILA, Philippines — On the occasion of the country’s quasquicentennial on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid tribute to the patriots who fought for Philippine independence and called on Filipinos to “assert liberty day by day” in contending with challenges now facing the nation.

“The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination’ — never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny,” the president said in his speech at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.

Marcos urged the people to reflect on how far the country had come “from that transformative event” in history when revolutionary forces led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed independence from Spain in 1898.

“I appeal for unity and solidarity in our efforts to perfect our hard-fought freedom and achieve genuine national progress. Heeding this call will indispensably require patriotism and a strong sense of community, diligence, industry and responsibility from all our citizens,” Marcos said.