Praise, protests on Marcos’ 100th birthday

MANILA: Supporters of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos gathered yesterday to celebrate his 100th birthday outside his resting place, amid protests against what his foes believe are moves to restore his powerful family’s tainted image.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been accused of glorifying the authoritarian rule of Marcos, granted the family’s request to declare his birthday a holiday in his home province of Ilocos Norte and said on Saturday the former strongman was a “hero” to many Filipinos.

Marcos family supporters held a short rally at the cemetery, where a memorial service was planned, but dispersed before the arrival of about 200 protesters.

Protesters carried placards in the rain denouncing Marcos and what they say is Duterte’s “Marcosian” leadership style.

Marcos ruled the Philippines for two decades and put the country under martial law in 1972, during which time tens of thousands of suspected communist rebels and political foes were killed.

Critics lament what they see as Duterte’s dictator-like tendencies and fear history is repeating itself, with claims of human rights abuses during his war on drugs.

Duterte has also placed Mindanao under military control until the end of the year to tackle extremists, the longest phase of martial law since Marcos.

Opponents are outraged by what they see as a lack of sensitivity by Duterte and the possibility he could grant the Marcos family immunity from prosecution over alledged siphoning of state funds. – Reuters