Mariano Rajoy highlights "key role played by Guardia Civil in Spain"

Baeza (Jaén)

In his speech, the President of the Government expressed his "gratitude, recognition and unconditional support" for the men and women who make up the Guardia Civil and congratulated "those who have sworn their loyalty to the flag that represents one of the most important nations in the world: Spain.

"It is not by chance that the Guardia Civil deservedly continues to be the public institution that the Spanish people place most trust in, "since it has shown its effectiveness and its proximity in serving our citizens. That is why it has gained the mutual understanding, admiration, respect and affection, not only of the authorities and the government, but also of civil society in our country.

The President of the Government recalled that by making a pledge of allegiance, the new officers take on "an obligation to maintain a permanent disposition to defend Spain and to protect the exercise of the rights and liberties of its citizens, making every effort to preserve its security and well-being".

The flag is the symbol of the sovereignty of the Spanish people

In this regard, the President of the Government remarked that the flag, as a symbol of their oath of pledge, means accepting and interiorising the lofty ideals it represents "because our flag symbolises our nation and is a sign of the sovereignty of the Spanish people, of the independence, unity and integrity of the country and represents the higher values expressed in our Constitution; our flag reminds us of our triumphs, our ideals and our aspirations", he added.

Mariano Rajoy also said a few words in memory of those officers that have died in the line of duty and made a special mention of the 243 Guardia Civil officers that were murdered at the hands of terrorists. "It is always necessary to remember them, because the ethical example of victims deserves our full devotion and our empathy; we must stand with them, take on the obligation, the commitment and the moral duty to always have them present and to contemplate their sacrifice and commitment with the emotion this merits", stated the President of the Government.