The Philippine Online Chronicles

The proposal to have the late president Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will be studied by someone who has “less personal attachment,” said President Benigno Aquino III.

Marcos, whose regime lasted a total of twenty years, ruled the Philippines under Martial Law from 1972 to 1981. He was accused of amassing ill-begotten wealth and heading an administration under which human rights violations, torture, enforced disappearances and killings were perpetrated.

In 1986, he was deposed by the People Power Revolution, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this month.

“Whatever I say will be biased. So I’m thinking of inhibiting myself on deciding the matter,” said Aquino, whose father Benigno Aquino Jr.’s assassination was widely pinned on Marcos.

“There are many implications of the [proposed burial],” he added. “Should it be a recognition of his being a soldier during World War II? Should it be because he was a former Commander in Chief?”

“Should it be that he was former President? But of course, there will be a sector or a significant sector, especially because we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of EDSA next week … that says, ‘Wasn’t his mandate removed by the people?’ How can there be an entitlement,” he added.

Marcos’ remains are currently preserved in a glass coffin in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte. His son, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said that it is his family’s standing wish to see the patriarch buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which is reserved for soldiers, presidents, statesmen and national artists and scientists.

"We've always said that it's his right as a former president, as a former soldier, as a bemedalled soldier, that he be buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani, and it's very clear that that is his right," said the younger Marcos.

“The issue came up again because of the death of Secretary [Angelo Reyes],” he added, referring to the former Armed Forces Chief of Staff who committed suicide earlier this month, amid charges that he received huge military payoffs, and had been buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“Ordinary people are beginning to see why there is this inequitable treatment,” he added.

The younger Marcos said that this was to “close a chapter” in the country’s history and “move forward.”

While the Marcos family’s wishes are supported by such People Power personalities as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Gregorio Honasan, a group of Martial Law-era human rights victims have strongly dissented.

"How can a fascist dictator-president, ousted by the Filipino people, be deemed a hero?” asked Samahan ng Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) secretary-general Fr. Dionito Cabillas.

“It has been 24 years since the ouster of Marcos, yet the victims during Martial Law have to yet to be fully rendered justice, including indemnification, for the horrific crimes against the Filipino people,” he added. “This proposal insults the victims and their families and the Filipino people’s struggle against injustices and oppression.”