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The Philippines marked the 128th anniversary of its independence today with a major military parade in the capital, Manila.
The extensive procession showcased assets from the nation's unified defense forces, including the air force, the army, and the navy.
The public display featured an array of advanced weaponry and specialized military equipment moving through the capital.
Among the prominent hardware on display were Israeli-made SPYDER surface-to-air missile systems, Sabrah light tanks, and ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers, with military personnel maneuvering the heavy armor through the parade routes.
The high-profile demonstration of domestic defense capabilities takes place during a period of ongoing, heightened maritime tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.
According to The Fiji Times, the annual June 12 commemoration traces its origins back to 1898, when General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the nation's sovereignty, breaking more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule.
However, true autonomy remained elusive. Following Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War later that year, the archipelago was ceded to the United States under the Treaty of Paris, sparking the Philippine-American War.
The country eventually transitioned into a self-governing commonwealth before enduring a brutal Japanese occupation during World War II.
While the United States formally recognized full Philippine independence on July 4, 1946, President Diosdado Macapagal officially moved the national holiday back to June 12 in 1962, asserting that a nation's right to liberty is inherent and certified by its own people rather than granted by a foreign power.
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