Rock against Marcos: Army probes Libingan ‘intrusion’

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Army is investigating the entry of protesters on Sunday inside the premises of the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

The protesters placed stones bearing the names of victims of human rights abuses during martial law at an empty gravesite supposedly allotted for the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

“We condemn their deception and for desecrating soldiers’ hallowed ground. There is no designated burial site for the former president, simply because there is no official order given by the Philippine Army to do so,” Col. Benjamin Hao, Army spokesman said.

Hao said the Army should be the first to know if the late strongman would indeed be buried at the heroes’ cemetery.

Over the past days, calls have been mounting to block moves by the incoming Duterte administration to have the late strongman buried at the Libingan, not only because of his having been a World War II veteran, but also as a former president and commander-in-chief.

The presence of the protesters caught the Army off guard as it did not receive any request or letter asking for permission to hold a protest at the military burial ground.

Asked about the supposed burial of his late father at Libingan ng mga Bayani after filing his election protest against vice president-elect Leni Robredo, outgoing Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declined to comment.