By patriotism is meant, not only spontaneous, instinctive love for one’s own nation, and preference for it above all other nations, but also the belief that such love and preference are good and useful.
— Russian writer-novelist
WHAT is the worth of a nation if it cannot defend its dignity? Chairman emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio ‘Ka Pep’ Goitia raised this challenging question as he stood behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration that Philippine sovereignty is non-negotiable.
“President Marcos is absolutely right,” Goitia said firmly. “Sovereignty is not a topic for debate. It is not a bargaining chip. It is not for sale. It is the lifeblood of the nation. And no country, no matter how powerful it thinks it is, has the right to trample on it.”
He reminded Filipinos that our country’s fight is not abstract because “(it) is about the future of our children, the food that sustains our families and the security of our seas.
“When the President says sovereignty is non-negotiable, he is not delivering a slogan. He is declaring the will of the entire people who refuses to be bullied,” he pointed out.
He also warned that yielding even an inch would be dangerous: “The moment we allow compromise, we lose not just territory but our honor as a people. The Philippines must stand firm, and under President Marcos, we are standing firm.”
Goitia, convenor of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI) and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, then urged Filipinos to unite.
“Our fishermen endure harassment at sea. Our soldiers put themselves at risk to guard our waters. Our leaders take the weight of international pressure. The least we can do is to stand with them. Division is a weakness. Unity is strength. Sovereignty is everyone’s duty,” he cited.
Goitia likewise mentioned the award-winning documentary ‘Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea’ as proof of why our fight for sovereignty matters.
“This film exposes the truth that China fears. It shows the faces of our fishermen, the struggles of their families, and the courage of a people who refuse to bow down. You cannot watch it and remain indifferent,” he noted.
Goitia added that a more comprehensive film is also in the works and it will articulate with great clarity our true rights under international law and the victory we achieved through the United Nations Convention on the. Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). The film is being produced by the Blessed Movement, headed by Chairman Herbert Martinez.
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