Protest as family marks Marcos’ birthday at cemetery

Manila: Riot police blocked hundreds of protesters trying to prevent the family of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos from celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth at the Philippines’ “Heroes Cemetery”.

Three decades after a bloodless “People Power” revolution toppled the Marcos regime, his family holds influential political posts and is busy rehabilitating his legacy – with the help of family friend President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte last year allowed the remains to be buried at the ceme- tery, reserved for soldiers slain in battle and former presidents.

Last week, he declared the birth anniversary on Sept 11 a holiday in the ex-leader’s home province.

“This is an insult to the memory of my father,” said Amira Lidasan, one of a group of anti-Marcos protesters estimated by police to number 500 who marched on the cemetery gates yesterday.

Lidasan said her father was imprisoned for a month for a nighttime curfew violation in the early 1970s, when Marcos put the coun- try under martial law for more than eight years.

The father died from illness shortly afterwards, she added.

But about 300 riot police blocked a road leading to the Marcos tomb, allowing the family to hold a private reception inside the cemetery grounds.

About 50 elderly women supporters of Marcos flashed V-for-victory signs and sang Happy Birthday for Marcos at a separate gathering outside the cemetery gates.

“He achieved many things during his presidency.

“He built roads and many other structures and he kept the prices of grocery items low,” Erlinda Taning, 65, said.

Marcos oversaw widespread human rights abuses during his 20-year rule.

Thousands of people were killed, tortured or imprisoned, according to rights advocates and previous Philippine governments.

He has also been accused of embezzling billions of dollars from state coffers during his rule. — AFP