'Emulate bravery of Bataan defenders'

As Filipinos commemorated Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) yesterday, President Marcos called on Filipinos to emulate the bravery and resilience of the country's heroes during World War II to overcome "foul forces" and other present challenges confronting the nation.

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While present challenges are in no way less grave, the President said "foul forces" continue to threaten the country "outside and within," endangering its hard-fought gains.

"There are times when our struggles seem too complex or too daunting. Still, these are precisely the moments that we must stand by our cherished freedoms and principles, perform our tasks with utmost dedication and diligence and fight fiercely for a better life and a brighter future," Marcos said in his message.

"Thus, on our commemoration of the Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan, let us emulate the bravery, integrity and resilience of the heroes and heroines of Bataan so that, like them, we may emerge triumphant in the trials of our time," he said.

The President made the remarks in light of China's repeated harassment of Filipino resupply vessels in Philippine waters.

Marcos led the commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan at the Mt. Samat National Shrine or Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan. Among those who joined the President were Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, US embassy Chargé d'Affaires Robert Ewing, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Lisa Guerrero Nakpil.