Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
UNITED States Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the “longstanding” alliance between Washington and Manila as he wished the Philippines a joyous Independence Day celebration.
The United Kingdom, Japan, China, France, and Canada, through their embassies in Manila, also joined Filipinos on Monday in celebrating the Philippines’ 125th Independence Day.
“Today, I want to reaffirm the longstanding US-Philippines Alliance and celebrate our strong people-to-people ties, acknowledging the shared sacrifices that form the foundation of our alliance,” Blinken said.
“We have accomplished much together, and I am confident we will continue to collaboratively confront the most pressing regional and global challenges,” he said in a statement shared by the US State Department.
US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said the US “remains committed to our special friendship with the Philippines as partners in prosperity for the years to come.”
Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koshikawa Kazuhiko wrote on Twitter, “As like-minded nations, may our Japan-Philippines ties continue to champion peace and democracy – values that this day represent! May our solidarity flourish for everlasting peace and prosperity.”
British Ambassador to Manila Laure Beaufils, in a message on Twitter, said “Among the Philippines’ goals and values are democratic ideals and principles, universal human rights, justice, and the value of freedom and sovereignty.”
“Celebrating Independence Day reminds us to uphold these values and principles upon which the nation was built,” Beaufils said.
French Ambassador to Manila Michèle Boccoz congratulated the Philippine government and the Filipino people “in celebrating their freedom.”
China’s Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian, said, “The Chinese Embassy and I join the Filipino people in celebrating the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.”
The Embassy of Canada in Manila also tweeted, “Strong people-to-people links are the cornerstone of our two countries’ close ties.”
“The Philippines is at the core of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, and the time for ambition is now,” it said. — Bernadette E. Tamayo
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