Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Widespread protests were held in various universities on Friday, as students appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his decision allowing former President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).
Students from the University of the Philippines in Diliman and Manila, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines called this day a “Day of Rage Against Marcos’ Hero’s Burial.”
“Imbis na national healing ang mangyari, ito ay nagbubukas pa ng malalalim na sugat,” Kabataan Party-list Representative Sarah Elago said.
[Translation: Instead of a national healing, the burial will only reopen deep wounds.]
Elago is a member of the Makabayan bloc, a known supporter of Duterte, at the House of Representatives. But Elago said while they may not see eye to eye on this issue, her group will continue to support the President’s other programs.
Apart from protesting the burial, they also expressed their dismay on how some school books lack information on atrocities during Martial Law.
“Kailangan po natin ipaalala sa ating pangulo na yung pagkilos mamamayan ang siyang nagpatalsik sa diktaturyang Marcos at ang pagkilos ng mamamayan ang siya ring magtatakda kung saan ang wastong lugar para kay Marcos sa ating kasaysayan na hindi siya bayani,” Ben Te of the UP student council said.
[Translation: We need to remind the President that public protests ousted the Marcos dictatorship, and it is also public protests that will determine the proper place for Marcos. He’s not a hero.]
Protesters warned bigger rallies will be staged to protest the Supreme Court decision allowing the burial. The high court voted 9-5 on Tuesday, saying Duterte “acted within the bounds of law and jurisprudence” when he ordered the burial.
