November 30- Bonifacio Day; Various Groups hold Indignation Rally

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 Sr. Niceta Vargas, OSA
Br. Jose Mari Jimenez, FSC Sr. Marife Leslie Luna, LGC
Fr. Joseph Matitu, SSS Sr. Sofia Taguinod, OP
Fr. Copernicus Perez Jr, CSsR Sr. Josephine Mata, FAS
Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ Fr. Ricardo Basquiñes, MF 

He is no hero for the human rights abuses which we have experienced and witnessed
among our people with thousands of political opponents detained, tortured and murdered.
We still find unreturned the plunder of 10 billion dollars from the Philippine coffers
which continue to impoverish our country and people.

We deplore the stand of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, voting 9-5-1 allowing the
burial to take place, discounting all cases against the burial, ignoring the protest of
common citizens, groups and organizations, the survivors of human rights violations,
the families of thousands of victims killed, imprisoned or who disappeared during the
martial law regime. The Supreme Court based its decision on a legality citing AFP
regulations G 161-375 that states that a president, a soldier, and a statesman can be
interred there.

We are dismayed that President Duterte, in his promises to the poor and espousing the
cause of the masses, gave this contradictory stand, in allowing the burial of Marcos who
plundered the nation and made the poor poorer.

We are appalled at the conspiracy by the different agencies in the deceitful manner of
burial.

We continue the protest against the burial of Marcos and its motive to rewrite our
history about the darkest days of martial law under the Marcos dictatorship. Only by
listening to the outcries of the poor for justice and the speaking of truth can we be healed.
John 8:32 “The truth will set you free”. 

  - RELIGIOUS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
    November 25, 2016