Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 12) – As the country celebrates its 122nd year as an independent nation, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) stressed the nation enjoys its independence.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ Rico Hizon, NHCP commissioner Emmanuel Calairo emphasized the country is not dictated by foreign countries in organizing its society.
“We are independent now as a people because we have our own government. We have our own decision-making process,” said Calairo.
The country’s independence is also maintained even the current and past Philippine governments are seeking help from superpower countries such as China and the United States over the years.
In the present Duterte administration, the country enjoys a strengthened relationship with China despite the latter’s aggression in reclaiming islands under the Philippine territory in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Duterte calls for ‘further strengthening’ PH-China relations
“We are still independent because that’s part of diplomacy of our country, developing partnerships and our economy. We could not live without collaboration with other countries. There must be a collaboration in the international community,” Calairo said.
Calairo, who is also the assistant vice chancellor for research at the De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, noted one proof the country enjoys its independence is the provision of basic human liberties in the society.
“We are operating the 1987 Constitution and we have the Bill of Rights there. We practice the provisions there such as right to expression, freedom of the press, and right to assembly,” the historian explained.
As the country commemorates Independence Day this year in a different mood due to the movement restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Calairo said this is the perfect time to celebrate the hardships of frontliners who are fighting the spread of the virus.
“Just like those who fought for our independence in 1898, our frontliners are also in a dangerous situation just to serve the people. It is very timely and very relevant that we dedicate this Independence Day to our frontliners,” Calairo said.
In his Independence Day message, President Rodrigo Duterte echoed the same comparison in honoring the pandemic frontliners.
“As we wage united battle against COVID-19, we now have the opportunity to demonstrate that we possess the same gallantry of spirit and the nobility of character as the heroes of our past. Let us now move forward with courage, hope, and optimism as we overcome this pandemic,” he said in his taped address.
