Martial law victims ask Rody not to honor Marcos

MANILA, Philippines - Martial law victims, their families and human rights groups appealed to President  Duterte yesterday to work on justice for all the victims of martial law and other desaparacidos instead of honoring former president Ferdinand Marcos.

During a gathering at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, Bonifacio Ilagan, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang spokesman, urged Duterte to reconsider his decision as this will “rehabilitate” the image of the Marcos family.

They also signed an open letter published by the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights: Honoring of Marcos would ultimately dishonor the Filipino people and insult those who suffered during martial law.

They took a hit at “trolls in social media” who have urged victims to move on and forgive Marcos and let him be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“But how to forgive when forgiveness not sought is a problem,” read the open letter. “Marcos must be made accountable, his family made to admit the wealth they enjoy is not theirs, but the people’s.

“We’d like to ask in return for the Marcoses to do the moving on by letting go of their illusions of grandeur by admitting their sins para magkaroon ng katahimikan (so there will be peace).” 

Ilagan said they are hopeful that their petition before the SC opposing the burial will be granted as they have studied all legal, historical and moral implications of the issue.

“Part of our moving on is pursuing our insistence for justice,” he said.

“In forgiveness, that should not be done, especially if the person asking for forgiveness has sins. But no one should forget history.”  

No activities

Since the Supreme Court’s status quo ante order, the Army has not undertaken any activity related to the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 

In a phone interview, spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said they are complying with the SC’s order.   

SC justices decided in regular session to grant immediate relief sought in five petitions against the burial and issued a status quo ante order on the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said the order is effective for 20 days or until Sept. 12.

President Duterte vowed to comply with any directive from the high court.

“We’ll just follow,” he said.

The SC order was directed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya.

It will lapse days before the scheduled burial of Marcos on Sept. 18, but the SC may issue another order thereafter.

Lorenzana said yesterday all expenses for the burial of  Marcos will be shouldered by his family,  not the government.

“We will only spend on (military) honors,” he said.

“There will be no money spent on transportation of the cadaver. It will be on them (Marcos family).”

Lorenzana was interviewed on the sidelines yesterday of the National Heroes’ Day celebration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Duterte said he sees no problem about Marcos being buried in the Libingan.

The law allows Marcos to be buried at the heroes’ cemetery as a soldier and former president, Duterte said. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez