MANILA, Philippines – On the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Manila, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Saturday, February 22, that the Philippines will always choose the path of peace through diplomacy and dialogue in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Through diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation, we have successfully maintained a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous. We have and will continue to work with partners and the international community in building bridges, forging solutions, preserving our global commons,” Marcos said.
“The Philippines will always make a stand and will always stand for what is right,” he stressed.
In his speech, the President emphasized the importance of the country’s relationship with the United States and pledged to strengthen ties with the US.
“In a world where the only thing that appears to be constant is change, we are thus gratified by our enduring alliance, our partnership, and friendship with the United States, especially towards advancing our common agenda of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.
“In peace and in war, through natural disasters and pandemics, Philippine-US relations are firmly anchored on the values and principles that we cherish – peace, democracy, fairness, social progress, and justice,” the President added.
The Marcos administration’s foreign policy marks a shift towards the United States, contrasting with the previous administration’s China-friendly stance. The Marcos government has consistently rejected China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea
The President also honored the heroes who fought for the country’s liberation over the years.
“For the soldiers who lost their lives as they marched more than 60 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during the infamous Death March. For the thousands who never saw the light at the end of the tunnels in Corregidor. For those whose lives and families were changed forever by war,” Marcos said.
Filipinos fought alongside American troops in numerous battles against the Japanese, including the campaign to liberate Manila, which began in February 1945. The month-long battle ended on March 3, 1945, leaving Manila in ruins and thousands dead. – Rappler.com