OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE BURIAL OF FERDINAND MARCOS AT THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI

ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS IN THE PHILIPPINES,
Prot. 2016-0139

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE BURIAL OF FERDINAND MARCOS AT THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI

We, the members of the ASSOCIATION OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS IN THE PHILIPPINES, have recently expressed our outcry against the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Developments on this issue have come, albeit in ways that we have neither expected nor desired.

On November 8, 2016, the Supreme Court en banc decided to allow the burial of former President Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery (Libingan Ng Mga Bayani). The magistrates, voting 9-5-1, dismissed the consolidated petitions arguing that a hero’s burial for Marcos would be a “grave injustice” to the victims of Martial rule. The ruling stated that President Rodrigo R. Duterte was within the bounds of his powers under the Constitution and the administrative code when he ordered the burial.

On November 18, 2016, the remains of Marcos, flown via helicopter, were buried at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani in surprise and clandestine rites. As many of the Filipinos were still reeling from the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the lawfulness of the burial of Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery, these ceremonies come as a shock, as they came so suddenly.

We share the sentiments of many people who are now sad, disappointed, or angry on account of these turn of events.

The burial of Marcos at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani is linked to the Presidency of Duterte who has made this part of his campaign agenda and has orchestrated the burial from the backstage. The Marcoses would not have come this far without his support.

We reiterate our stand that Marcos is not a hero: even if he was a soldier and a president, he was a dictator and was responsible for the violation of human rights and for the other atrocities committed during Martial Law. He has plundered the nation of her wealth, consequently impoverishing her people: P170 B worth of ill-gotten wealth was recovered by the PCGG from 1986-2015. To the end Marcos has shown no remorse for his actions.

We deplore the manner and circumstances in which he was buried at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani: it is a grave disrespect not only to the victims of human rights abuses under his regime, but to the whole nation as well.

We stand in solidarity with the victims of Martial Law: the AMRSP has data, documented through the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, which prove that Marcos is not a hero.

We resolve to continue correcting misconceptions about the heroism of Marcos: our consistent opposition to a revisionist history we bring through our works—in our schools and colleges, parishes, social ministries and centers, and other ministries that seek to form the conscience of the citizenry.

We commend the outpouring of the people’s cry for truth and justice: many have come forward to express disappointment over the burial of Marcos at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani. We are heartened to see students and young people leading the clamor for truth and justice. There is indeed hope that our young will bring the advocacy to the public arena.

Signed:

Fr. Cielito Almazan, OFM Sr. Regina Kuizon, RGS AMRSP Co-Chairpersons
Fr. Eduardo Apungan, CMF Sr. Julie Saguibo, SFIC AMRSP Co-Vice-Chairpersons

Board Members:
Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, SDB Br. Jose Mari Jimenez, FSC
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS
Fr. Copernicus Perez Jr, CSsR
Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ

Sr. Niceta Vargas, OSA
Sr. Marife Leslie Luna, LGC Sr. Sofia Taguinod, OP
Sr. Josephine Mata, FAS

Fr. Ricardo Basquiñes, MF

November 22, 2016