Like our ancestors, Filipinos today should stand by the country against oppression amid unacceptable threats.

President Marcos made the statement during the 82nd commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan on Tuesday, April 9, where he labeled the present threats against the Philippines as "unacceptable and unjust."

"82 years on, our nation remains confronted with novel challenges, in varying forms and degrees, but with the same existential impact. Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights, and in fact have already caused physical harm to our people," Marcos said in his speech as he led the Araw ng Kagitingan rites at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.

"Ang mga ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap. Hindi makatuwiran o makatarungan, lalo na sa panahong ito ng payapang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga bansa (These are unacceptable. Unjust, especially at a time when countries are peacefully working with each other)," he added.

The President hopes that the events of 1942 serve as an inspiration to the youth and the next generations to stand by the Philippines amid challenges.

"Tulad ng pinamalas ng ating mga dakilang ninuno, hindi tayo dapat magpasupil at magpaapi, lalo na sa loob ng ating sariling bakuran (Just like what our ancestor did, we should stand up against oppression, especially inside our own territory)," Marcos said.

He further said that the nation must leverage the lessons from the past "if we are to safeguard the future of our Republic," adding that the sacrifices of our heroes "must galvanize us, and strengthen our national consciousness and our patriotic spirit."

"Ours is a complicated world today, but we must not yield. We must not back down from any and all challenges that seek to threaten our peace, our honor, and our very existence," Marcos also stated.

Improve separation benefits of wounded soldiers

In recognition of the bravery and sacrifices of the armed forces in safeguarding the nation’s security and sovereignty, Marcos directed the Defense, Budget, and Finance Departments to study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty.

This, he said, intends to see if these are commensurate with the sacrifices they have made and to show the government's support to soldiers as they face new and growing challenges.

"We are doubling our efforts to enhance their operational capability. We must therefore also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment. I therefore task the DND (Department of National Defense) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to assess and submit a report on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment," Marcos said.

READ MORE: Marcos on Araw ng Kagitingan: Emulate Bataan heroes' bravery amid 'foul forces' threatening the country