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Marcos interred at Libingan; ‘kin disrespected SC’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA and JOSEPH BERNARD MARZAN, Intern
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ILOILO City – Twenty-seven years after his death, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Taguig City yesterday — much to the surprise of many Filipinos, including Ilonggos.
It was least expected, considering the pending motions against the widely criticized Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing the interment at the Libingan and symbolically affording the late dictator a hero’s burial.
Here, progressive groups gathered in front of the Hall of Justice on Bonifacio Drive to stage a rally. In Manila, petitioners against the burial planned to ask the high court to cite the Marcoses for contempt.
Elias Guiloreza, chairman of the Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees Laban sa Detention at Aresto – Iloilo, said they were still waiting for the Supreme Court’s final decision. “Wala ni naplano [ang rally]. Nakibot kami kalabanan sa schedule nila nga mga makawat.”
As part of protocol, the burial took place at 12 noon, with only Imelda Marcos, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos, and a handful of relatives present.
“Nobody expected nga i-violate pa gid nila [ang law],” Guiloreza told Panay News. “Amo man ni sang una, nakibot ang tanan sa pag-declare martial law. [We thought] basi bala nanutô na sila. Tapos amo ni gali.”
Marcos’ remains were flown from Laoag, Ilocos Norte early Friday morning and reached the Libingan at 11:30 a.m. News of the burial started spreading only around 10 a.m.
Guiloreza believed the Marcoses rushed the burial to avoid further protests.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Panay, Panay Alliance-Karapatan, Kabataan party-list, Kadamay, Alliance of Health Workers and Teachers, National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), and Kilusang Mayo Uno joined the rally, along with teachers from Ateneo De Iloilo and University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV).
A member of Kabataan was concerned on the impression the sneaky burial made on the younger generation.
“The burial … paves the way for historical revisionism,” said the protester, who refused to be identified. “[It] might affect the knowledge of millennials like me regarding the part of history that brought the country to its knees.”
CONTEMPT
A 19-year-old accountancy student at UPV questioned the legality of the burial.
“This just proves how they (Marcoses) have disregarded our legal system,” said Christian Kent Ceriola. “The petitioners still have 15 days (to appeal the Supreme Court ruling). They should have waited.”
He added: “It’s like they have disregarded Philippine history, the laws that recognized the victims of martial law and the court rulings that he (Marcos) was a thief.”
“Now we are considering filing a motion next week to cite respondents in contempt for proceeding with the burial even if the Supreme Court decision was not yet final and executory,” said petitioner Ibarra Guttierez.
NUPL secretary-general Edre Olalia said, “We think that the all-time thief, tyrant and rights violator will turn in his grave and never lay to rest because there is no rest for the wicked.”
“Tinanggalan nila ng rights ang mga petitioners at taumbayan,” said Neri Colmenares. “Talagang inunahan nila ang mga petitioners at natakot sila sa mga nakaambang malalaking protesta.”
On Nov. 8 the Supreme Court voted 9-5 to dismiss the consolidated petitions blocking President Rodrigo Duterte’s order that Marcos — who died at the age of 72 on Sept. 28, 1989 while in exile in Hawaii — be buried at the Libingan.
ANGER
An 18-year-old business administration student believed the “surprising” burial was a “disrespect” of the Supreme Court.
“I was shocked,” Renamae Gutang hollered. “I never expected the burial would be this early. It was a great insult to the Supreme Court.”
While he was pro-Marcos, the 17-year-old Henry John Prio said the surprise burial was a wrong move. “This time I can say they made a wrong decision,” said the senior high school student. “The lack of announcement just gives room for more criticism.”
A political science teacher at University of Iloilo expressed his anger on Facebook.
“This is no hero’s burial. This is a thief’s burial. A murderer’s burial. A corrupt’s [sic] burial. A filth’s burial. A shameless burial,” said Nestor Jeremy Moreno, also a law student at University of San Agustin. “This is by no means a burying of the past. This is not a burial for healing. This is not even a ‘burial’ in the most solemn sense of the word.”
He added: “This is the hiding of the dictator’s body. This is his hiding from all his sins to the Filipino people. This is a disgraceful exit of a dictator who will forever be dishonorably remembered in Philippine history.”
Meanwhile journalism student Godofredo Talero said the burial should pave the way for reconciliation.
“Let the Marcos burial issue rest. It’s already done and over,” said the 20-year-old. “Now we need to move on and start the true meaning of reconciliation.” (With Adrian Stewart Co/PN)
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