Marcos family says former dictator deserves a hero’s burial

 

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Ex-President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marco

The family of former president-turned-dictator Ferdinand Marcos believes the Aquino Administration has softened its stance against a hero’s burial. Senator Ferdinand ‘Bong Bong’ Marcos Jr. raised the possibility in a press conference on Wednesday.

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He said that the honourable burial of his father would be the ultimate reward the current administration could ever give the Marcos Family.

“We are still optimistic that our country’s leaders will give value to the service of my father as a gallant soldier and the longest serving leader of our nation by allowing his remains to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in the coming months,” Marcos said during the 97th birthday anniversary of the former president.

Marcos spent more than 20 years in power; he later was ousted by a “people power” revolt in 1986.

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Today his body lies in an air-conditioned mausoleum in Batac City, his north Luzon birth town.

Marcos’ successor, Corazon Aquino opposed a hero’s burial for the former strongman, citing human rights violations committed during his martial law regime.

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“We continue to appeal to our leaders of our country to give utmost recognition to the important contributions of my father to the country’s development, which is currently being utilised by our people,” Marcos Jr. said.

“Our family members and relatives continue to pray to the Almighty Father that the minds of our current leaders will be enlightened and grant my father his right to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” he said.

Members of the Marcos family that attended the former president’s birthday celebration include former First Lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos and Gov. Imee Marcos, the senator’s sister.

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