The dictator Marcos among heroes: the Supreme Court gives green light to his burial

Nine out of 14 judges  in favor. The late dictator will be moved to the monumental cemetery Libingan. Harsh criticism from civil society: "In doing so the sacrifice of those oppressed by Marcos is denied".

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The remains of the Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos deceased will be buried in the Manila heroes cemetery. This was decided by the Supreme Court which voted for the proposal of the new president Rodrigo Duterte. Of the 14 judges who make up the body, nine said yes to the transfer of remains to the monumental cemetery of Libingan.

The cemetery is the final resting place of heroes of the war of independence from Japan and those who fought against the deceased dictator, the "strong man in Manila," who "ruled" the Philippines from 1965 to 1986 by applying a fierce martial law. He stepped down only after popular protests led mostly by the Catholic Church, and died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. He is currently buried in Batac, in the north of the country.

In 2004, Transparency International named Marcos the second most corrupt leaders of all time. In the two decades in power, Marcos was guilty of thousands of killings, torture and kidnappings of opponents. Several areas of civil society, including Catholic teachers, have been opposed for months in the attempt to identify Marcos as a hero of the fatherland.

The removal of his remains to the monumental cemetery was announced by Duterte few weeks after his election as president. The head of state is a long-time ally of the Marcos family and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has become a senator, running for the office of Vice-President (and losing).

The Court's decision, said Marcos Jr., "is a very important step in the healing process of political arena and the beginning of a new unity for the country".  Senator Risa Hontiveros reserved harsh critcism: "The measure wants to erase the sins of Marcos and negate the sacrifice of thousands of great men who fought and suffered under a brutal dictatorship."

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