THE EX-DICTATOR now lies in a national cemetery for heroes.
The remains of former president Ferdinand Marcos, who plunged the country into more than a decade of authoritarian rule, were buried in clandestine rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on Nov. 18.
The unannounced ceremony sparked demonstrations among students from various universities and colleges around Metro Manila.
Members of Stand-UST, along with the League of Filipino Students-UST (LFS), College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the National Union of Students of the Philippines trooped to Mendiola and España Boulevard to condemn the burial.
Protesters gather at the People Power Monument in EDSA to condemn the surprise burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (Photo by Jamillah N. Sta. Rosa)
Nov. 19 2016, 9:57 p.m. – THE EX-DICTATOR now lies in a national cemetery for heroes.
The remains of former president Ferdinand Marcos, who plunged the country into more than a decade of authoritarian rule, were buried in clandestine rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig on Nov. 18.
The unannounced ceremony sparked demonstrations among students from various universities and colleges around Metro Manila.
Members of Stand-UST, along with the League of Filipino Students-UST (LFS), College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the National Union of Students of the Philippines trooped to Mendiola and España Boulevard to condemn the burial.
“Ba’t tayo magmo-move on sa mga bagay na hindi pa natin nakakamit ang hustisya? Para lang tayong tanga na kinalimutan na lang natin ang isang bagay na napakahalaga,” Stand-UST secretary general Elizabeth Anthony said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
LFS representative Macoy Mercolita said President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration should be held liable for allowing the hero’s burial of Marcos.
“Pananagutin natin ang rehimeng Duterte sa naganap na pagpapalibing. Ayun ay kasuklam-suklam dahil para sa karapatan ng sambayanang Pilipino ay ipinagpalit mo [sila] sa pamilyang magnanakaw at mamamatay-tao,” he said in an interview.
Students, faculty members and administrators from the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP), Ateneo de Manila and Miriam College mounted protests on Katipunan Avenue before joining rallyists at People Power Monument on EDSA.
UP Chancellor Michael Tan and Ateneo President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, S.J. were among those who took to the streets to denounce the burial.
UP Student Council Councilor Ben Te highlighted the importance of youth participation in the outcome of any protest movement, recalling the peaceful revolt in 1986 that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.
“Nakikita natin kung gaano kahalaga ang pakikibaka ng kabataan dahil noon rin ay kabataan ang nagpabagsak sa diktatdor ng Marcos. Ngayon natin papatunayan na tayo ay handang lumabas sa ating classroom at lumaban,” Te said.
De La Salle University, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica’s College-Manila held their own protests on Taft Avenue.
At the People Power Monument, Twyla Rubin of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the burial was “unlawful.”
“The [CHR] reiterates that the burial of the remains of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the [Libingan] is patently unlawful as it contravenes the human rights obligation enshrined both in the Philippine Constitution as well as in international law,” Rubin said, reading from the CHR’s official statement.
Organizers of the program dispersed by 10 in the evening, but hundreds remained until midnight. Police estimated that at least 3,000 people joined the protest.
Marcos’ remains were flown from Ilocos Norte to via military helicopters. At the Libingan, the late strongman was given a hero’s burial complete with a 21-gun salute and full military honors. The ceremony was held privately and was limited to the Marcos family and some supporters.
The move came after the Supreme Court ruled 9-5 in favor of the hero’s burial for Marcos last Nov. 8, saying there was no basis to stop his burial.
The Marcos family claims the late strongman was entitled to full military honors, being a World War II veteran, Medal of Valor awardee and a former Defense secretary. Mia Arra C. Camacho, Hannah Rhocellhynnia H. Cruz, Christian de Lano M. Deiparine, Maria Consuelo D.P. Marquez and Maria Cristana M. Paloma with a report from Roy Abrahm D.R. Narra
