By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fostering strong relations with the United States and other international allies to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
At the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Manila at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Marcos said the Philippines will always stand for what is right and will continue to work with other countries in building bridges, forging solutions, and preserving global commons.
“The Philippines, deeply familiar with the atrocities brought about by war between and among nations, has always chosen the path of peace and I can assure all of you that we will continue to do so,” Marcos said to an audience that included US government representatives, Filipino dignitaries and World War II veterans.
Marcos led in honoring those who perished during the brutal Battle of Manila in 1945, one of the deadliest conflicts in Philippine history.
“Through diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation, we have successfully maintained a region that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous,” he added.
He expressed gratitude for the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the US, stressing shared values of peace, democracy, and justice.
Marcos said he is gratified by the Philippines’ “enduring alliance, partnership, and friendship” with the US as they share the same goal of achieving peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
He said the two countries are committed to preserving and enhancing national security, attaining economic prosperity, and promoting the rights and welfare of their peoples.
“In peace and war, through natural disasters and pandemics, Philippine-US relations are firmly anchored on the values and principles that we cherish — peace, democracy, fairness, social progress and justice,” the President said.
“Whether we gather, as we do today, to remember the liberation of Manila some 80 ago, or during joint military exercises as our armed forces will in a few weeks’ time for Balikatan, there is no doubt that our relationship is robust, with our two countries continuing to work together to address common challenges.”
Meanwhile, US Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission Charles Djou said the “most powerful system known” to mankind is “not the Shandong aircraft carrier patrolling in the South China Sea, not the ability to build artificial islands in Filipino waters, not to ability to spread around money through a Belt and Road initiative.”
“The most powerful system known to mankind is a free people, willing to fight for freedom. That is what this site is all about and what is ceremony is all about,” Djou said. “We fight for the values of freedom and democracy.”
The event also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Manila, which took place from Feb. 3 to March 3, 1945, a defining moment in the Pacific theater of World War II (WWII) and one of the most significant events in Philippine history.
The Battle of Manila in February 1945 marked the end of Japanese occupation in the Philippines but at a devastating cost, with some 100,000 Filipino civilians, as well as American and Japanese soldiers, killed in the conflict, leaving the once-thriving capital in ruins.
Historic landmarks including churches, schools and government buildings were destroyed. Entire communities were displaced.
The Manila American Cemetery, the largest of its kind, is a solemn tribute to those who fought and died in WWII, serving as the final resting place of over 17,000 American service members and commemorates nearly 36,300 individuals missing in action.
Among those honored are Medal of Honor recipients, and Filipino scouts and families who served in battle. (PNA)
