President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paid tribute to the heroism and sacrifices of Filipino and allied soldiers who fought in Bataan during the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration on Tuesday. The President led the ceremony in remembering the courage displayed by war veterans, underscoring their role in securing the hard-earned peace the country enjoys today.

“We celebrate today the heroism of all those who fought here in Bataan, and we celebrate the peace that was hard-earned by the blood and the sacrifice of all our servicemen—not just Filipinos, not just Americans, but also those who fought bravely for their country,” Marcos said in his address. The event served as a solemn reminder of the historical significance of the Battle of Bataan during World War II.

Highlighting the painful lessons of war, President Marcos stressed that peace remains the only true solution to conflict. “The solution to war is not more war,” he said. “The solution to war is only peace—an honorable peace that is arrived at by the different parties involved and having a hand and a voice in achieving that peace.”

The Chief Executive also emphasized the importance of remembering history while looking toward the future. He said the country’s path forward must be shaped by the lessons of the past, particularly the value of unity and the sacrifices made for freedom and peace.

“We will continue to celebrate [peace] every single day as we, who serve the public, continue to find ways to keep that peace, to make that peace more permanent, and to maintain that peace so that our people live a good, profitable, productive, and constructive life,” Marcos concluded. The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous future for all Filipinos.

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