Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed that the country remains committed to protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
He made this 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 morning, October 20.
The event was in connection with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the historic gulf landings at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte.
Romualdez said the war Filipinos fought 80 years ago is different from the conflict the nation faces today.
“Today, 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,” Romualdez told the audience at the exhibit.
“Just 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,” he added.
“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.”
Romualdez said he is proud “to stand with our government in upholding a rules-based international order, particularly in our maritime domain.”
“We 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’s sovereignty is respected, especially in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
Romualdez added that the country’s defense of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity is a fight for the future of every Filipino.
The House leader called on the people to “draw strength from the courage of those who came before us.’
“The 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—whether they are threats to our sovereignty or the persistent challenges of poverty and inequality,” he said.
He said as the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings, ”we 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,” he said.
He recalled that the Leyte Landings “marked a turning point in our history, a moment when the tide turned in favor of freedom.”
Romualdez thanked the Filipino veterans and Philippine Veterans Bank officials for helping organize the celebration and the exhibit.
