Filipino protesters carry ‘Marcos is no hero’ and ‘never again’ banners to mark late dictator’s burial anniversary
- Around 100 activists gather at entrance of cemetery for national heroes, where Ferdinand Marcos was buried in 2016 after his 1989 death in Hawaii
- They ‘hope message reverberates’ because another Marcos – the former leader’s son, Marcos Jnr – is standing in next year’s presidential election
Philippine activists held a protest on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose son has emerged as an early front runner in the presidential race next year.
“We are here to inform the people that Marcos was no hero. He was a dictator,” said human rights lawyer and former lawmaker, Neri Colmenares, who had been tortured and jailed during the 14-year martial rule.
Colmenares and at least a hundred other protesters stood at the entrance of a cemetery for national heroes, shouting “Never again, never again to martial law”, while carrying placards and banners, some including the words “Marcos hindi bayani” (Marcos is no hero).
The protesters staged a caravan that ended at the cemetery in the capital, Manila, where five years ago Marcos was buried with military honours, more than 30 years after his 1989 death in Hawaii.
