Marcos supporters, critics face off at Libingan

MANILA, Philippines — Critics and supporters of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos headed to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday for the commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary of the ousted dictator.

According to reports, security personnel have been deployed to draw a line between the groups.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, the widow of the late dictator, had invited House members and senators to attend the celebration of Marcos' birth anniversary.

READ: Speaker, others to skip Ferdinand Marcos' Libingan birthday rites | Rody likely to skip Ferdinand Marcos centennial birthday rites

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, is likely to skip the commemoration of the birth anniversary of the former president as he will still be in Davao City. 

Duterte has however declared Marcos' birthday as a non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte at the request of the Marcos family. He has justified the decision, saying the people of the province believe that cases of human rights abuses and corruption attributed to the Marcos regime are "hogwash" and "garbage".

“He (Marcos) was a president. To the Ilocanos, he was the greatest president. Why do we have to debate on that? It’s one day where they can celebrate the anniversary of a great Ilocano. As far as the Ilocanos (are) concerned, Marcos is a hero,” Duterte said.

“To dwell on this thing for so long a time will just divide the nation,” he also said.

On social media, netizens expressed their sentiments on the celebration of Marcos' birth anniversary at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Seriously? What's wrong for some to celebrate 100 years of a murderer and dictator? DON'T LET THIS BE! #Marcos100 pic.twitter.com/uw5s61QixZ

— GFORCE TEACHER JUZEL (@kristinamisajon) September 11, 2017

A lie told often enough becomes the truth. #Marcos100 #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/Qe3jivybkx

— Don RB (@donthebasher) September 11, 2017

If you celebrate Marcos today or any day of the year, then you're either still playing blind or too privileged to see what's up. #Marcos100

— Stan Sy (@_StanSy) September 11, 2017

Do not worry guys. Even if they celebrate #Marcos100 it does not change the fact the he is suffering in hell #MarcosInHell

— Ehud Shamgar (@EShamgar) September 11, 2017

He carried the Philippines on top and tossed it down so he could go higher. That's not a hero that's a greedy hypocrite. #Marcos100

— AJ is okay. (@iamAJmiranda) September 11, 2017

"Real heroes are those who fought Marcos dictatorship."

#Marcos100 #MarcosARTrocities
#NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/9ialTmbkiG

— ™ (@JoshuaSarcos) September 11, 2017

We must not allow history to be revised. His regime plundered & killed! At #Marcos100 today's youth must not forget #MarcosNOTaHero pic.twitter.com/E9ZlGMYGMV

— Kes (@sitaw08) September 11, 2017

Diktador! Hindi bayani!
#MarcosARTrocities#Marcos100#artph#NeverAgain#MarcosNotaHero pic.twitter.com/QF0NvhqYbH

— BNJ (@Mong_Aya) September 11, 2017

One hundred years ago, the manifestation of Filipino greed, corruption, and evil was born. #Marcos100

— katelynn (@kateastrophic) September 11, 2017

Magandang umaga sa lahat, maliban sa mga nagdiriwang ng ika-100 taon ng kapanganakan ng isang diktador. Ukinimam! / Pisting yawa! #Marcos100 pic.twitter.com/oAp4umaq3a

— Francisco Montserrat (@fmontserrat) September 11, 2017

It's someone's birthday today. Let's throw some cake! #Marcos100 #MarcosARTrocities #MarcosNOTAHero #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/BdmmzZQelb

— Rodrigo Acuzar (@rodrigoacuzar) September 11, 2017

Only in the Philippines is a thief given a special holiday. September 11. Salamat Digong. #Marcos100

— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 7, 2017

Burn in hell, Ferdinand Marcos. #Marcos100 #FM100 #MarcosNOTaHero #MarcosARTrocities pic.twitter.com/fKVQDeOaW1

— Mme Press Secretary (@noelledeg) September 11, 2017

He still looks like a devil, even in 8-bit. Maligayang pagkamatay, berdugo.#MarcosARTrocities #Marcos100 #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/qWocmKI3Q9

— railli (@trumanrailli) September 10, 2017

MARCOS, HITLER! DIKTADOR, TUTA! #Marcos100 pic.twitter.com/V6WZZ3E5tj

— fifigandanghari (@AlfonsoLabrague) September 11, 2017

READ: Anti-dictatorship groups hold ‘party’ for Marcos’ 100th birthday

In November last year, the Supreme Court decided to allow the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani despite opposition from various groups.

Last month, the high court affirmed its earlier ruling upholding Duterte's order to allow the interment of Marcos at the heroes' cemetery and stressed that his remains will not be exhumed. — Patricia Lourdes Viray