By Junex Doronio

MANILA — In commemoration of the historic Leyte Landings, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

“Today, we face a new battlefield. Our enemy is no longer a foreign invader but threats to our territorial integrity, the undermining of international laws, and the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Romualdez said at the Philippine Veterans Bank exhibit on Sunday (October 20, 2024) in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings.

He made this commitment during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for “War of Our Fathers – A Brotherhood of Heroes,” an exhibit dedicated to World War II veterans at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte.

“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. 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 future generations will live in a free and secure Philippines,” said the leader of the House of Representatives.

Romualdez also expressed pride in standing with the government to uphold a rules-based international order, particularly concerning the country’s 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 added.

Romualdez emphasized that defending the country’s sovereign rights and territorial integrity is a fight for the future of every Filipino.

“Ang 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—karapatan, kalayaan, at katarungan,” he stressed.

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