On National Heroes' Day, Marcos urges Pinoys to defend sovereignty

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday, National Heroes' Day, called on Filipinos to uphold the rule of law and defend the country's sovereignty.

In his speech during a ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, Marcos acknowledged what the country's brave heroes did as he urged Filipinos to continue carrying their legacy.

''As we dedicate this day to honor our heroes of the past, let us not lose sight of what is asked of us here in the present. Let us carry on the great legacy of our brave ancestors with the fortitude of an enlightened mind, the strength of compassion and generosity, and the courage of our convictions,'' Marcos said.

''In the spirit of shared responsibility, I call on everyone to be heroes in [their] own right. Uphold the principles of democracy, abide by the rule of law, and defend our sovereignty,'' he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. renders a salute at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday, August 26, 2024. Marcos led the nation's observance of National Heroes' Day. PCO

The chief executive made the call a day after China Coast Guard vessels rammed and used a water cannon on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' BRP Datu Sanday near Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos said Filipinos should acknowledge the significance of history and pass it on to the youth ''so we can nurture [in] our children [the] love of country; for it is only in [that] patriotism that we can preserve our national identity.''

The President also asked the public to ''pay homage to our past'' so that they can be worthy of the freedom that their ancestors fought for.

''With this vision ingrained in our endeavors, we can build a nation where the dreams of our heroes are realized in every home, [in] every community, [in] every [single] Filipino heart,'' Marcos said. —KG, GMA Integrated News