A Philippine Human Rights NGO providing Psychosocial Services and Rehabilitation to Internally Displaced Persons and Survivors of Torture and Organized Violence.

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Statement: Marcos’ Crimes Will Never Be Forgotten

Balay stands alongside martial law victims and activists against the burial of the late president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LnMB). The LnMB is a national shrine meant to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and brought honor to our country. It is meant to be the final resting place of dignified soldiers, heroes and martyrs. The burial of Ferdinand Marcos will defeat the very essence of LnMB.

President Rodrigo Duterte had stated several times that he will allow Marcos’ burial at the LnMB. He said that Marcos deserves to be buried in the LnMB because he is a former president and a soldier. This was supported by the late dictator’s son Bongbong Marcos saying that the burial will heal the wounds of the past and bring closure to the long been divided nation.

But the premise here fundamentally is that presidents and soldiers have dedicated their lives in the service of the people which Marcos, especially at the height of his Martial Law and dictatorial regime - has not.

Balay believes that the burial will not bring closure but will only open the horror of the past. Marcos might have passed away years ago, but the injustices of his regime and the wounds that it has inflicted to the people are still there.

Balay was born in the height of Martial law. It has long been a witness to the injustices of the regime helping torture victims and political prisoners recover their lives from the trauma of the past. Balay had felt the pain and anguish of the families looking for their disappeared loved ones and not ever finding them again. Balay had stayed in communities were the crimes of the Marcos cronies in the 70’s and 80’s had violated women and children.

Ferdinand Marcos robbed the nation with its wealth. He betrayed and committed crime to the Filipino people he promised to protect. He used his power of authority against the people who elected him.

There can only be healing ang "moving on", as Pres. Duterte and the Marcoses would also want to have it, if the family of the late dictator will concede that Marcos has indeed been responsible for atrocities, plunder, and suffering during his administration and apologize to the people. Also, their family must be willing to make amends by cooperating in the recovery of ill gotten wealth and in compensation of the victims of human rights violations.

But no amount of money can erase the trauma from the victims and their families during their brutal experience and suffering.

Marcos’ crimes will never be forgotten. It shall never be forgotten. Ferdinand Marcos does not deserve to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

We call on to the President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss the idea of Ferdinand Marcos burial in LnMB.

Let us respect Marcos’ wish to be buried in his hometown in Ilocos next to her mother’s tomb. We believe that more than what the younger Marcos claims, this will be the ultimate closure for the victims and for the nation. Let us grant justice to those who died, sacrificed and fought for freedom in the dark eras of our nation’s history.

Never Forget. No to Marcos Burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani.