As we celebrate the 125^th Independence Day anniversary of the Philippines, we must zealously guard against the intrusions on the country's sovereignty, like:

1. The continuing aggression and unlawful occupation by China of important areas in the West Philippine Sea in violation of the 2016 UN Arbitral Award confirming the Philippines' ownership of this vast marine resource; 

2. The resurgence of American dominance in Philippine foreign and military policies; and 

3. The furthering alienation of the economy through our own default and submission to the lords of foreign capital in defiance of the constitutional mandate for the country to “develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.”

EDCEL C. LAGMAN