We strongly oppose the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

Bantayog ng mga Bayani strongly opposes the resolution passed by Congress this week seeking to bury a former dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

If any Filipino needs reminding, Bantayog offers proof that the late Ferdinand Marcos was not a great hero, but was instead a great oppressor of the Filipino people.

We offer the Bantayog museum, which houses memorabilia of that reign of terror when the state murdered people for the slightest reasons.

We offer the Bantayog library and archives, which records the tortures performed in military “safehouses,” the abductions, arrests, deaths and disappearances of people who dared resist the Marcos dictatorship.

We offer finally the Bantayog Wall of Remembrance on which are etched some 190 names of Fililpinos who fought and struggled against that despotic rule, many of them getting killed in the process.

It is inconceivable that the one person responsible for such massive suffering and large-scale plunder and cheating, manipulation and corruption in the highest levels of government should be allowed to be buried at the Libingan, which is a place reserved for Filipino heroes.

Is this how we teach our children heroism?

It is appalling that the people we trusted to represent us in Congress can so easily forget the true facts of Philippine history, and have no qualms about showing contempt for the real heroes of this country.

The Libingan ng mga Bayani is hallowed grounds for men of true valor, not persons who blatantly trampled on justice, freedom and democracy. Ferdinand Marcos has no right to lie there.