President Marcos urges Pinoys: Liberate Philippines from shackles of society’s ills

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday called on Filipinos to emulate the courage and selflessness of national hero Andres Bonifacio as they strive to help end the problems plaguing the country.

In his message for the commemoration of the 161st birth anniversary of Bonifacio yesterday, Marcos said the leader of the Philippine Revolution continues to inspire Filipinos to strive for greatness in their shared task of nation-building.

“Gat Andres may have been long gone, but his fight carries on,” the President said. “Let us honor his memory by finding a deeper meaning in his sacrifice and doing our part in liberating our country from the shackles of hunger, corruption, criminality and other ills of society,” he added.

Marcos noted that Bonifacio, the Supremo of the Katipunan, organized and inspired his fellow Filipinos to rise against tyranny and break the chains of oppression. His humble beginnings did not deter him from realizing his dreams and goals for the country, the President added.

“With his courage, he lit the flames of the Philippine Revolution, which finally united our land and emboldened many to lay down their lives willingly for the cause of our motherland against the colonizers,” Marcos said.

He urged Filipinos to remember the legacy of sacrifice of Bonifacio and other heroes who resisted colonial rule.

“We owe them a debt of gratitude for awakening our national consciousness, upholding our sense of identity and rousing our spirit of self-determination,” the Chief Executive said.

“With patriotism, discipline and love for one another as our guide, let us build a better Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino lives in genuine peace, progress and harmony.”

Born on Nov. 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila, Bonifacio was one of the founders of the Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or KKK, which fought for independence from Spanish rule. He was executed by fellow revolutionaries who accused him of sedition in 1897.

As workers marked Bonifacio Day with protests calling for wage hikes and lower prices for commodities, Vice President Sara Duterte stressed the importance of his example in taking action against what ails the country.

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