Late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos given hero’s burial after Supreme Court ruling
The decision outraged many opponents of the Marcos regime who said it would whitewash the dictator’s many crimes
Ex-Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos was given a hero’s burial with military honours on Friday, a deeply controversial move three decades after he was ousted in a “People Power” revolution.
The ceremony began with a 21-gun salute as soldiers in parade dress and ceremonial rifles stood to attention at the “Cemetery of Heroes” in Manila, after his body was secretly flown to the venue in an apparent effort to avoid protests.
It’s not really surprising that this is happening. Marcos flouted the law when he was still alive, and even at his burial, he is still breaking the law
The decision, endorsing a recommendation from controversial President Rodrigo Duterte, outraged many opponents of the Marcos regime who said it would whitewash the dictator’s many crimes.
The surprise move by the Marcos family and the government to bury him so quickly after the Supreme Court verdict, with appeals still to be heard, caused further outrage.
Barry Gutierrez, counsel for the anti-Marcos court petitioners, said the burial was illegal because of the outstanding appeals.
“It’s not really surprising that this is happening. Marcos flouted the law when he was still alive, and even at his burial, he is still breaking the law,” Gutierrez said.