Marcos tells Filipinos on Bonifacio Day: Be vigilant vs social ills, other threats to liberties

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged Filipinos to remain vigilant to protect the country from social ills and other threats to liberties.

This was his call to Filipinos during the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, urging them to honor the life and selflessness of the Filipino hero by being “dutiful and law-abiding” citizens.

“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,” Marcos said in his message.

“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.

The President noted that it is through Bonifacio’s “bold ideas” that the Philippines’ “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,” he said.

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He added that Bonifacio’s 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 led the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City on Wednesday morning.

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