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SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday vowed that the country remains committed to protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He made the commitment in his remarks during ribbon-cutting rites for the “War of Our Fathers-A Brotherhood of Heroes,” an exhibit of the Philippine Veterans Bank dedicated to World War II veterans held Sunday in connection with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The leader of the 300-plus members House of Representatives said the war Filipinos fought 80 years ago is different from the conflict the nation faces today.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToday, we face a new battlefield. Our enemy is no longer a foreign invader but the threats to our territorial integrity, the undermining of international laws, and the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea,\u201d Speaker Romualdez told the audience at the exhibit.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust as our forefathers fought side by side with allies in the past, today, we strengthen our alliances with like-minded nations to defend the principles of freedom and democracy. This is a new war – a war for peace, stability, and the preservation of our way of life. We are committed to protecting our sovereign rights, ensuring that the future generations will live in a free and secure Philippines,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He said he is proud \u201cto stand with our government in upholding a rules-based international order, particularly in our maritime domain.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe continue to advocate for the peaceful resolution of disputes, guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We honor the legacy of our veterans by ensuring that our nation\u2019s sovereignty is respected, especially in the West Philippine Sea,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He added that the country\u2019s defense of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity is a fight for the future of every Filipino. \u201cAng laban na ito ay hindi lang tungkol sa teritoryo. Ito ay laban din para sa ating karapatan, para sa kapayapaan, at para sa kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino. Ipinaglalaban natin ang mga prinsipyong itinaguyod ng ating mga bayani\u2014karapatan, kalayaan, at katarungan,\u201d he stressed.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The House leader called on the people to \u201cdraw strength from the courage of those who came before us.\u2019 \u201cThe legacy they left behind is not one of violence, but of enduring peace through unity and determination. Just as they were victorious in the face of adversity, we too can overcome the challenges we face today\u2014whether they are threats to our sovereignty or the persistent challenges of poverty and inequality,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to Romualdez, as the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings, \u201dwe are not merely recalling a historic event – we are reaffirming our commitment to the principles of peace, freedom, and sovereignty. These values, which were so valiantly defended by our forefathers, remain crucial as we confront new challenges in a rapidly changing world,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAng magbalik-tanaw sa nakaraan ay isang napakahalagang gawain. Sa pamamagitan ng ganitong mga espesyal na okasyon, binibigyan natin ng halaga at pagkilala ang mga sakripisyo ng mga bayani ng ating bansa. Higit pa rito, ito ay isang paalala na ang kanilang laban para sa kalayaan ay patuloy na ating isinusulong,\u201d he emphasized.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He recalled that the Leyte Landings \u201cmarked a turning point in our history, a moment when the tide turned in favor of freedom. \u201cOn this day, 80 years ago, Filipino and Allied forces joined hands in a historic display of courage and unity that set the stage for the liberation of our country. It was a struggle for freedom from foreign domination, and through their sacrifices, we regained our independence and dignity,\u201d Speaker Romualdez said.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday vowed that the country remains committed to protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. 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