WATCH: Opposing groups make noise amid Marcos' burial

MANILA, Philippines — Several groups supporting and railing against the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos converged outside the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery) in Taguig City on Friday morning.

The highly secretive funeral shocked many pro-democracy advocates and human rights victims who had planned several protests nationwide Friday to oppose the burial at the cemetery, where former presidents, soldiers and national artists have been interred, unaware that funeral plans were already underway.

Burying someone accused of massive rights violations and plunder at the heroes' cemetery has long been an emotional and divisive issue in the Philippines, where Marcos was ousted by a largely nonviolent army-backed uprising in 1986. At the height of the political turbulence, Marcos flew to Hawaii, where he lived with his wife and children until he died in 1989.

The powerful family has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Imelda Marcos and two of her children eventually ran for public office and won stunning political comebacks. One son, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., ran for vice president earlier this year and won more than 14 million votes, but lost by a slim margin.

In 1993, Marcos's body was taken to his hometown in Ilocos Norte, where it has been displayed in a glass coffin and became a tourist attraction. But his family fought for his remains to be transferred to the heroes' cemetery.

Rodrigo Duterte, who took over the presidency in June, backed the dictator's burial at the cemetery, saying it was his right as a president and soldier. It was a political risk in a country where pro-democracy advocates celebrate Marcos's ouster each year. — Text by AP