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‘Modern-Day Heroes’: Marcos Recognizes Fisherfolk, Soldiers in WPS

Writer: J. Salazar
J. Salazar
Sep 2
3 min read

Article by J. Salazar

Published on September 3, 2026 06:00PM


"Patriotic call to action against defeatism in defending the West Philippine Sea."
"Patriotic call to action against defeatism in defending the West Philippine Sea."

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday marked National Heroes' Day by honoring Filipino fisherfolk and government forces safeguarding the country's waters near the Philippine archipelago. ¹ ² ³


In a speech at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, the President cited members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), alongside Filipino fisherfolk, as among the "many faces" of modern-day heroism who are "at the forefront of protecting our rights, livelihoods and national interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)." ¹ ³ ⁴


A shared national duty


President Marcos emphasized that defending the country's territory and maritime rights is not solely the task of uniformed personnel but a responsibility shared by all Filipinos. ¹ ⁵


"This calls on each of us to understand our history, to know our rights, and to take part in protecting the national interests," he said, as protesters also commemorated National Heroes' Day outside the Chinese Embassy in Makati. ³


The President reaffirmed the government's commitment to uphold the 2016 arbitral ruling, which confirmed the country's maritime rights over the West Philippine Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He vowed that the Philippines would continue asserting its claims peacefully and in accordance with international law. ² ⁵ ⁶


"Our fisherfolk, too, deserve our unconditional support. Their continued presence in our waters strengthens our connection to our maritime territory," Marcos said. ¹ ² ⁶


All to shed 'defeatist mindset'


Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, urged Filipinos to "shed our defeatist mindset" in upholding the country's sovereignty. ³ ⁷


"[D]efeatism never represented what our heroes stood for," Tarriela said in a statement issued on National Heroes' Day. He invoked the spirit of historical figures who fought for freedom despite overwhelming odds, noting that their struggle was not about guaranteed victory but about deserving liberty as a nation. ³ ⁷


Youth and the Philippine Rise


Earlier on Saturday, Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. addressed a forum of youth ambassadors, urging them to keep in mind the largely unprotected Philippine Rise northeast of the archipelago—a bigger maritime resource which he described as "sources of potential sustenance, energy for future generations." ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰



Speaking at the launch of the Bantay Dagat Youth Ambassadors – West Philippine Sea Edition Caravan during the "Safeguarding Our Seas" multi-stakeholder forum on Aug. 28, Teodoro emphasized that protecting the country's sovereignty extends beyond the West Philippine Sea to encompass the Philippines' broader maritime domain. ⁸ ⁹


He warned that ballooning populations and diminishing global commodities make maritime security an urgent struggle for tomorrow's sustenance. Teodoro called on young Filipinos to become advocates for maritime awareness, national resilience, and the country's sovereign rights. ⁹ ¹⁰


Modern faces of heroism


In his address, President Marcos broadened the definition of heroism to include ordinary citizens who serve their communities.


"We see it in our soldiers and first responders who risk their lives to keep us safe. We recognize it in our teachers, health workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and overseas Filipinos who sustain our families and communities," he said. ¹¹ ¹²


The President also called for efforts to promote truth and counter disinformation across various platforms, while underscoring the importance of providing strong support to Filipino fisherfolk whose continued presence in Philippine waters reinforces the country's connection to its maritime territory. ⁴ ¹³

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Notes:


¹ PNA. PBBM: Defending PH territory a shared responsibility https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282964


² Inquirer. Marcos cites 2016 arbitral award, vows peaceful defense of PH rights https://www.inquirer.net/486819/marcos-cites-2016-wps-arbitral-award-vows-peaceful-defense-of-ph-rights


³ Inquirer. Marcos hails WPS defenders on National Heroes' Day https://www.inquirer.net/486910/marcos-hails-wps-defenders-on-national-heroes-day


⁴ PCO. News Releases - President Marcos honors modern-day heroes, calls for unity in defending PH sovereignty https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/president-marcos-honors-modern-day-heroes-calls-for-unity-in-defending-ph-sovereignty


⁵ Business World. Marcos calls on Filipinos to defend maritime rights https://bworldonline.com/the-nation/2026/08/31/773644/marcos-calls-on-filipinos-to-defend-maritime-rights



⁷ Inquirer. West PH Sea: Tarriela urges Filipinos to shed ‘defeatist mindset’ https://www.inquirer.net/486843/west-ph-sea-tarriela-urges-filipinos-to-shed-defeatist-mindset


⁸ Tribune. Gibo urges youth to champion maritime awareness https://tribune.net.ph/2026/08/29/gibo-urges-youth-to-champion-maritime-awareness


⁹ Tribune. Gibo: Protect our seas, protect our future https://tribune.net.ph/2026/08/29/gibo-protect-our-seas-protect-our-future


¹⁰ Manila Bulletin. 'Para sa susunod na henerasyon!' Teodoro urges youth to view West Philippine Sea as fight for future resources https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/29/para-sa-susunod-na-henerasyon-teodoro-urges-youth-to-view-west-philippine-sea-as-fight-for-future-resources


¹¹ Philstar. Marcos Jr. on National Heroes Day: 'Do more than remember' https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/08/31/2553062/marcos-jr-national-heroes-day-do-more-remember


¹² Manila Bulletin. Marcos tells Pinoys on National Heroes' Day: Prove we're ... https://mb.com.ph/2026/08/31/marcos-on-national-heroes-day-prove-were-worthy-of-liberty-entrusted-to-u


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