Marcos urges Pinoys to be vigilant vs. social ills, be dutiful, law-abiding

As the country commemorates the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on Filipinos to honor the Filipino hero by being “dutiful and law-abiding” citizens.

In his message, Marcos urged Filipinos to be vigilant in protecting the country from social ills.

“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,” said Marcos.

“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,” he added.

In his message for the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. calls on Filipinos to remain vigilant in protecting the nation from social injustices and to be responsible toward a “brighter” and “freer” future for all. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/xkLmdWwxMa

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) November 30, 2022

Marcos honored Bonifacio, saying that it is through the latter’s bold ideas that “our heroic ancestors were able to muster the will and the courage to fight their oppressors thereby paving the way to our motherland’s eventual emancipation.”

“Indeed, it was his deeds that provided the impetus for our collective liberation, which we are challenged to preserve and protect amidst these trying times,” the President said.

“His spirit lives on in the stories we tell and use to build on his legacy, breathing new life into his words with our sense of duty and patriotism,” he added.

Marcos led the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City on Wednesday morning.

Also present were National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Rene R. Escalate and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro.

In his speech, Marcos encouraged the public to honor, not just Bonifacio, but other Filipino heroes as well who offered and sacrificed their lives for the nation.

"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," Marcos said.

(As heirs of the sacrifices of heroes, it is our duty as Filipinos to ensure that what they fought for will continue to live and to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous nation.)

"Kaya naman sikapin natin na maging pinaka-mahusay na uri ng ating mga sarili; na maging Pilipino na ang katapatan at pagmamahal sa bayan ay kapares ng ating mga bayaning tulad ni Gat Andres," he added.

(Let us aim to be better versions of ourselves, to be Filipinos who are loyal to the country like Gat Andres.)

Amid life's challenges, Marcos expressed hope that these heroes would be the public's role models to succeed in life.

Senators Robin Padilla and  Sherwin Gatchalian were also present in the event in which they stressed its importance to all Filipinos.

"Isa pong napakagandang araw po nito para sa amin ni Senator Win Gatchalian sapagkat ito po ay sumisimbolo na ang rebolusyon po sa Pilipinas hindi pa tapos, pagka't ang natapos lang po 'yun pong pagkakabilanggo natin sa mga dayuhan, pero sa kahirapan hindi pa po tayo nakakawala," Padilla said.

(This is a good day for me and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian because this symbolizes that the revolution in the Philippines is not yet over. What was finished was the foreign invasion but the hardship of Filipinos is still there.)

Gatchalian, for his part, said Filipinos should continue the spirit of Bonifacio's bravery

"Dapat nating tandaan ang tinatamasa nating kasarinlan ay utang na loob natin kay Gat Andres Bonifacio at dapat ipagpatuloy natin ‘yung naiwan niyang diwa, na ipaglaban natin ‘yung mga natitirang hamon sa ating bansa," Gatchalian said.

(Let us remember that it is because of Gat Andres Bonifacio why we are enjoying the freedom that we have today. Let us continue his spirit and let us fight against the challenges in the country.)

Other simultaneous flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies were held in the following sites:

• Andres Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City;
• Andres Bonifacio Monument, Tutuban, Manila Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan City;
• Andres Bonifacio Monument, Balintawak Cloverleaf, Quezon City;
• Andres Bonifacio Monument, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City; and
• NHCP Museo ng Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio, Maragondon, Cavite.

—KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News