Soldiers raise a Philippine flag during ceremonies to mark the Independence Day  in front of a post office in Manila yesterday. 

Manila Times/Manila

President Benigno Aquino yesterday said he has no plans of giving up any part of the country that is being claimed by other states but rejected war as an option in settling disputes.

Delivering his Independence Day speech at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, the president said, “We need to weigh our decisions carefully when it comes to these matters. As we stand for our rights, we must continue exhibiting the values Filipinos are known for: Aggression does not run in our veins, but neither will we back down from any challenge.”

The president repeatedly cast aside any thought of resorting to conflict. He stressed that the Philippines will always engage in dialogue to resolve disputes.

“We have no other desire than to take care of what is rightfully ours. We have never trampled upon the rights of others. We have not claimed or demanded territory that clearly belongs to another. We have neither condescended upon nor oppressed others.

Harming others or sowing discord with other countries is not in our history,” he said.

The country is enmeshed in maritime disputes with China and Taiwan over a few islets and shoals in the Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea.)

Manila and Beijing are in a “word war” over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal since Chinese ships “invaded” it in April 2012. And diplomatic ties between Manila and Taipei were strained to almost breaking point over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard personnel off Batanes on May 9.

Aquino said the government will continue to abide by what is right.

“It has never been the policy of the Philippines to take advantage of other countries. If there has been disagreement, the whole world has witnessed our willingness to sit down and conduct dialogue in a peaceful manner,” he added.

The president opened the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of Philippine independence with the raising of the Philippine flag at the Liwasang Bonifacio.

There were simultaneous flag-raising rites at the Rizal National Monument in Luneta, Manila, the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan; Pinagla­banan Memorial Shrine in San Juan; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in Manila North Cemetery; Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City and at Pamintuan House in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The president also laid a wreath before the statue of hero Andres Bonifacio.

Aquino said the Philippines wants other countries to respect its territory.

“The only thing we have asked is that our territory, rights and dignity be respected, in the same way that we have respected the territory, rights and dignity of other people,” he said.

He noted that “thorough planning,” not “impulsive decision-making,” will “result in meaningful solutions to our most significant problems.”

But Aquino stressed that “while we will protect our rights and continue to build consensus with all parties to promote calm and understanding,” there is also the pressing need to “increase the capabilities of our Armed Forces.”

The president urged all Filipinos to fight for freedom and to stand up “as a country with its own sovereignty, as a nation that spilled its blood in the name of freedom, as a Philippines with its own flag, equal to all others.”

He exhorted the people not to wait “three hundred years, or three decades, or even three years, before we resolve to come together and gain freedom from hunger, poverty, or whatever threatens our sovereignty and security.”

“It is not right for Filipinos to have to stand suffering for even one minute longer. If it had only been possible, these problems should have been solved yesterday. But since this is impossible, let’s do it today,” Aquino said.

He paid tribute to the heroism of all those who sacrificed their lives to secure freedom.

“The time of revolt against the oppression of colonisers has come and gone: Rizal and Bonifacio, the Katipuneros and other Filipino heroes had already done their part. They did this in the knowledge that no one else was going to fight for our rights; no one else was going to work for the future of our country; no one else would push for our freedom—no one but we Filipinos. No one else,” he said. Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, Dr Maria Serena Diokno, head of the National Historical Commission, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Department of National Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario accompanied Aquino.

Also attending were Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino.

On Tuesday, Aquino hosted the traditional Vin d’honneur in Malacanang, where he offered a toast “to the continued partnership between all nations to promote peace, amity and unity for the advancement of humankind.”

“To my fellow workers in government—may you remain faithful to serving our people and our republic; to our overseas Filipino workers, for their dedication and sacrifice—may their hard work further contribute to a Philippines that they can come home to with pride and confidence,” he said.

“And to the future and continued success of the Filipino people—may the examples of our heroes be our guide as we tread the straight path to equitable progress,” he said.

 

 

 

 

BELOW:

1) Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim (left) pull a rope to hoist the national flag during Independence Day rites in Manila.

 

2) Motorcycle riders hold a symbolic Independence Day motorcade for equal rights along a main road in Quezon City, east of Manila.

Related Story