Filipinos in DC haven’t forgotten Marcos and misdeeds
Braving oppressive heat, former anti-Marcos activists and supporters say they are fired-up with outrage over Duterte’s decision to allow a hero’s burial for Marcos. JON MELEGRITO
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled as dictator in the Philippines from 1972 until 1986, may have been dead for 27 years but the memory of his brutal rule is still very much alive.
“In life and in death, Marcos still wanted to divide and rule the country,” said Jun Cristobal of Washington, D.C. in a Facebook post.
While others with similar sentiments weighed in on social media, about 25 former anti-Marcos activists braved 92-degree temperatures to stage a small but raucous protest rally last Wednesday in front of the Philippine Embassy.
Joining them was former Maryland Assembly Delegate David Valderrama, who condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to allow Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB), the nation’s cemetery for heroes.
Dolly Pascual, a former anti-Marcos activist, expresses her opposition to a heroes burial for Marcos during the rally. JON MELEGRITO
“No way are we going to let this tyrant desecrate a hallowed ground where heroes and martyrs are buried and honored for their patriotism and noble service to their country,” he said. “Marcos is a criminal, not a hero.”
Wheelchair-bound and ailing, the 83-year-old retired politician recalls holding a bullhorn at a street corner near the old Philippine Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue more than 30 years ago, railing at Marcos for his crimes of “gross plunder and mass murder.”
“I’m back here again, in front of the embassy,” he says. “Although my family advised me not to come because of excessive heat, I want to be here to let the President know how I feel.”
Shortly after his election, Duterte acceded to demands of a hero’s burial by the Marcos family. The Philippine Supreme Court, however, issued a restraining order – now extended to Oct. 18 – delaying the planned burial until the court decides on the legality of Duterte’s controversial action.
An affront
The noontime rally, part of a nationally coordinated action, was organized by US Pinoys for Good Governance (USPGG), the Coalition Against the Marcos Dictatorship and the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP). CAMD and MFP led the opposition to the martial law regime in the 70s and 80s.
Former Maryland Assembly Delegate David Valderrama (seated) hands over a letter addressed to President Duterte to Darrel Artates, Philippine Embassy Minister of Public Diplomacy. JON MELEGRITO
A letter addressed to Duterte and signed by the organizers and various individuals, was personally handed to Darrel Artates, the Philippine Embassy’s Minister of Public Diplomacy.
The letter reads in part: “Burying Ferdinand E. Marcos alongside our nation’s heroes who fought for our freedom is an affront to the thousands of lives tortured and murdered during his reign. A hero does not take away freedom, he campaigns for it and fights for its survival for the sake of others. Laying him to rest at the Heroes’ Cemetery is a disdainful act that will send a message to the future of our nation – our children – that the world we live in rewards forceful and violent hands.”
Artates assured the protesters that the letter will be delivered to the President.
‘No heroes burial’
During the hour-long demonstration, protesters chanted “No Heroes Burial for Dictator Marcos.” They waved signs that read “Marcos was a crook, not a hero” and “Marcos stay in Ilocos.”
They also displayed a mock coffin to symbolize the thousands who died under martial law, and several black and white pictures of Marcos victims, including activist Emilio Javier and political prisoner Ninoy Aquino.
“Marcos does not belong in a cemetery where heroes and martyrs are buried,” said Eric Lachica of USPGG, who led the rally. “He should be laid to rest in Batac, Ilocos Norte.”
Protesters sing the Philippine National Anthem at the conclusion of their protest action. JON MELEGRITO
Maurese Oteyza Owens of Arlington, Virginia and an active MFP member during the martial law years, explained why it’s important to speak out, in light of Marcos loyalists’ claims that he deserves a heroes burial because he was a soldier and president: “We can’t be quiet. We must make noise about what Marcos did so people won’t forget.”
Speaking on behalf of MFP members, many of whom were refugees from the Marcos dictatorship – including the family of MFP Founder Raul S. Manglapus – Owens cited the Marcos regime’s human rights violations and atrocities, his fake medals and his plunder of the nation’s coffers. “Because he was ousted from office by a sovereign act of the people, Marcos is clearly disqualified from being buried in the LNMB.”
Vi Baluyut, a retired federal senior executive and CAMD supporter, recalls joining anti-Marcos demonstrations in the past. “We can’t be silent about the atrocities his regime committed,” she said. “And we can’t be silent about this attempt to sweep them all under the rug. He was a dictator, it’s as simple as that.”
Adds Wally Reyes of Arlington, Va. and a former MFP member: “If the greatest thief gets buried in the LNMB, then future generations will not understand the difference between heroes and thieves.”
At the end of the rally, the protesters led by USPGG member Bambi Lorica sang “Bayang Magiliw” (the Philippine National Anthem).
They vowed to continue their campaign next Friday when Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto R.. Yasay, Jr. addresses the Filipino American community at a Talakayan (open forum) hosted by the Philippine Embassy. “We plan to appeal to the Secretary to urge President Duterte to reconsider his unwise decision,” Lachica said.
