Hundreds protest ‘hero’s burial’ for Philippine dictator Marcos
New president Rodrigo Duterte, who has styled himself as an anti-corruption crusader, has defended Marcos amid deep divisions over the late dictator’s legacy
Hundreds of Filipinos rallied in stormy weather Sunday against President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ burial in a heroes’ cemetery, but he remained steadfast on his decision despite growing opposition.
Police said about 1,500 protesters carrying a large streamer that read “Marcos not a hero” braved the rains, wind and mud at Manila’s seaside Rizal Park to call on Duterte to reconsider his decision. They launched a signature campaign to try to stop the burial, tentatively set for next month.
Loretta Ann Rosales, who formerly headed the government’s Commission on Human Rights, said she was tortured, electrocuted and molested with thousands of other detained left-wing activists under Marcos during a dark era in Philippine history that clearly shows why the brutal leader did not deserve to be accorded any state honours.
“Is that not enough evidence? ... Is Marcos a hero?” Rosales asked, with the crowd yelling back: “No!”
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who joined the protest, said she has filed a Senate resolution opposing a hero’s burial for Marcos, adding that Duterte should not commit “this atrocious mistake” of bestowing honors to the former dictator.