Filipino activists hold a demonstration to protest a court decision allowing a hero's burial for former Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos. (Photo by Basilio Sepe)
A faith-based organization in the Philippines has commended eight Filipino senators who voted against a plan to bury late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the country's cemetery for heroes.
The legislators, however, failed to get enough votes to adopt a resolution, which was filed on Aug. 8, three months before a Supreme Court ruling allowing the burial of Marcos in the heroes' cemetery.
The resolution states that the crimes of Marcos and the human rights violations committed under martial law render him unfit to be given a hero’s burial.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored the resolution, said allowing a hero’s burial for Marcos would only cause further divisiveness and would reopen wounds inflicted on the thousands of victims.
The Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) lauded the "bold move" of the eight senators to declare Marcos unfit to be buried in the heroes' cemetery.
The PMPI is a social development network of people’s organizations, faith-based groups, and Misereor, the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany.
"Marcos may be a hero in another universe, but not here, not in the hearts of abused and plundered Filipino people," read the network's statement.
Yoly Esguerra, PMPI coordinator, said the Supreme Court's decision backing President Rodrigo Duterte's position to bury the late dictator "disregard the rights abuses committed during martial law.
"But we are thankful that despite the strong pressure, eight senators are with us in this fight against this hogwash," said Esguerra, a staunch youth activist in the 80’s.
PMPI Chairwoman Arlene Lusterio said the country's history during martial law cannot be changed as the victims of martial law "lay witness to the atrocities inflicted by the Marcos regime."
The faith-based organization expressed hope that other Philippine legislators will not condone the deprivation of rights and justice of thousands of people who suffered during Marcos rule.
Oblate Sister Susan Bolanio, co-convenor of PMPI and a victim of martial law, said it is "both laughable and makes me angry" that a person who caused pain is going to be recognized a hero.
"This is irreconcilable," said the nun who continues to work in a community in the southern region of Mindanao. "Working to help out the victims and their families should be the priority of this government," she said.
Human rights groups are scheduled to hold a "noise barrage" in the capital Manila on Nov. 17 to protest the planned burial of Marcos.
Marcos, who ruled the Philippines as a dictator for 14 years, died in exile three years after a popular revolt ousted him from power in 1986.
Since his death, the Marcos family has pushed for a hero's burial for the late leader, citing his accomplishments as a former soldier and president.
Human rights groups and victims of rights abuses lodged at least seven petitions with the Supreme Court to oppose burying Marcos in the cemetery for heroes.
The court on Nov. 8, cleared all legal obstacles to Marcos' burial at the cemetery 27 years after he died in the United States.
