‘Be ready to defend your freedom’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on Filipinos to be ever ready to defend their liberty as he leads the commemoration of the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio at the Monument Circle in Caloocan City.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Bonifacio 2022: Kabayanihan at Pagtindig sa Makabagong Panahon.”

“Today, we cherish the freedoms we hold with even greater fervor as we commemorate the birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio. 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,” Marcos said.

“It is through the bold ideas of the Father of the Philippine Revolution 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,” he added.

The President encouraged Filipinos to emulate Bonifacio’s courage in overcoming the challenges of modern times.

“Ang kaniyang (Bonifacio) pangalan ay mananatiling naka-ukit sa ating kasaysayan kailanman, hindi lamang dahil sa kaniyang pamumuno sa rebolusyon kundi sa kaniyang ‘di matatawarang tapang at pagmamahal sa bayan (His name will forever be etched in history, not only

because he led the revolution but also because of his bravery and patriotism),” Marcos said.

Marcos added that with the help of “modern-day heroes,” such as doctors, nurses, state forces and overseas Filipino workers, the country would continue to thrive.

“Habang patuloy tayong nakikibaka sa mga hamon ng modernong panahon, nawa’y maging halimbawa si Bonifacio at ang ating mga bayani, noon at ngayon, upang magtagumpay tayo sa ating mga hangarin (While we continue to face challenges in modern times, may Bonifacio and our past and present heroes inspire us to achieve our goals),” he said.

Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan highlighted the historical significance of his city.

“Makasaysayan ang ating lungsod dahil nagsilbi itong kanlungan ng ating mga kababayang lumaban upang makamit ang kalayaan. Isa na rito si na nagpasiklab ng rebolusyon laban sa mga mananakop na dayuhan (Our city is historic because it served as refuge to our contrymen who fought for freedom, and one of them was Gat Andres Bonifacio who ignited the revolution against foreign invaders),” Malapitan said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte called for unity amid difficult times.

“May his extraordinary love of our country continue to inspire us to be constantly united in overcoming the difficulties we face as a nation and realize our shared aspirations of a better life for all,” Duterte said in her Bonifacio Day message.

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez urged Filipinos to honor the sacrifices of the country’s heroes by helping in nation-building.

“Bonifacio’s ideals are in all of us, and patriotism runs in the blood of every Filipino. Love of country is an innate trait we all share, and this manifests in how we protect our families, our communities, and our way of life,” Romualdez said.

Party-list group Akbayan has called on government to uphold the rights and welfare of Filipino workers in honor of Bonifacio.

“We will take government to task as we confront the most pressing issues affecting every Filipino family — soaring inflation, the rising prices of goods, and the availability of meaningful and productive work. In the same vein, Akbayan will sustain the struggle against the ills that have plagued our laborers for so long,” the group added.

“We will continue to fight for just wages, fair treatment of every worker, and an end to the oppressive practice of ENDO and contractualization. Defending the rights of our nation’s workers is the foundation of a truly humane society,” Akbayan said in a statement posted on FaceBook.

An association of labor groups, meanwhile, challenged Marcos to show genuine concern for Filipino workers.

“We haven’t heard [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] issue any policy pronouncements on labor, not even support for a wage hike for workers amid the rising inflation. Workers’ issues seem to have been set aside and the least of his priorities,” said Nagkaisa chairman and Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula.

Bonifacio, considered the “Father of the Philippine Revolution,” was born in Tondo, Manila on Nov. 30, 1863.

He became “Supremo” (Supreme leader) of the Katipunan in 1895 but was forcefully replaced by Emilio Aguinaldo in 1897.

Bonifacio was executed by his fellow Katipuneros (members of the Katipunan) on May 10, 1897 after Aguinaldo accused him of treason.