Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Human rights advocates, martial law victims, and activists on Monday protested in front of the Libingan ng mga Bayani against the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
They vowed to hold more protests until the planned hero’s burial for Marcos would be scrapped.
“Gusto nating itaas yung kamalayan din ng ating mga kababayan dito sa nagpapatuloy nating pagtutol sa anumang klase ng parangal sa dating diktador,” Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said. [We would like to heighten the awareness of our countrymen about our continued protest against any form of honor that would be given to the late dictator.]
Also read: Duterte defends hero’s burial for Marcos: A matter of enforcing the law
Militants broke through the police line and reached the cemetery gate. There were about a hundred of them from Bayan, Selda, and Gabriela.
Activist Juana Change is also present. She mockingly imitated former first lady Imelda Marcos.
However, the protest interrupted a solemn burial ceremony for the Presidential Security Group chief of the late former President Corazon Aquino.
The army appealed for respect.
“Humihingi kami ng apela na irespeto naman natin ang lugar ng mga namatay ang katahimikan at solemnity nito para sa pamilya ng mga namatay,” Army Spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said. [We appeal (to the protesters) to respect this place and its solemnity for the family of the deceased.]
The militants said they are hoping the Supreme Court would issue a restraining order on the Marcos burial.
CNN Philippines’ Rex Remitio contributed to this report.
Also read: Martial law victims seek TRO against hero’s burial for Marcos
