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| Protesters chant slogans as the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos is finally buried at the Heroes' Cemetery in suburban Taguig city, east of Manila, Philippines Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. Marcos was buried at a heroes' cemetery Friday in a secrecy-shrouded ceremony, police officials said, despite growing opposition after the Supreme Court ruled that one of Asia's most infamous tyrants can be entombed in the hallowed grounds. AP/Bullit Marquez with Alexis Romero via Associated Press and Philstar |
LIMA, Peru – President Rodrigo Duterte is hopeful that Martial Law victims would be able to “forgive and set free” those who hurt them as he maintained that the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani was a “personal decision” of the late dictator’s family.
“Hopefully, both sides will exercise maximum tolerance and come to terms with the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos,” Duterte said in a statement read Friday by his spokesman Ernesto Abella here.
“He (Duterte) further said that he hoped everybody would find a space in their hearts to forgive and to set free those who had hurt or injured them.”
Abella claimed that Duterte did not know when exactly the Marcos family intended to bury the former president.
“As far as I know he was not sure about exact date,” the president’s spokesman said.
“The decision to bury the late president Ferdinand Marcos today (November 18) is a personal decision of the Marcos family. We respect their choice of date for the interment,” he added.
When informed that Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa had said that Duterte knew that Marcos’ burial was underway, Abella replied: “Then he (dela Rosa) must know some things but as far as we know, the president was focused on the trip to APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) in Lima, Peru.”
Abella claimed Duterte only learned about the burial upon his arrival here Friday afternoon. He believes the president was “surprised” as he did not have a prepared statement on the issue.
“There was news coming from social media and so we talked with (presidential communications) secretary Martin (Andanar). I went to see the president, asked him and informed him this event happened and I said if he had a statement. It happened in regularity,” Abella said.
Abella claimed that the government merely extended assistance “in matters related to protocol and honors.”
When reminded that Duterte is the commander-in-chief of the military, which took charge of the ceremony, Abella replied: “As far as I know, there are agencies responsible for these matters…
Actually at the end of the day, it’s a simple burial, you know. So, proper agencies actually addressed the matter.”
Abella also shrugged off notions that the burial was set while Duterte is out of the country so he can escape from the backlash it would cause.
“I’m sure there will be reaction whether negative or positive, whether he’s there or not. It is supposed that these are to be expected and respected. As far as I know, there is no direct conversations (with the Marcoses) regarding those matters. He is on his way and his attention is focused on the trip to Lima,” he said.
Despite the outcry over Duterte’s decision to allow the burial of Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery, Abella believes the president actually did a “courageous” act.
“I think it’s misguided to say that the president is doing a sneaky act. In fact, he has always faced all his situations square and fair. I did not say this is a minor affair but this is a thing of the past. It’s just putting an end to it and I think it’s a very courageous. The fact that he has allowed it is a courageous act already,” he said.
“In the past, he (Duterte) has said let history judge but I will do what is legal and the Supreme Court has ruled that it is.”
Abella said those opposed to the burial can hold protests as long as they are “legal, peaceful and in accordance with the law.” The presidential spokesman, however, hopes the Filipinos can move on “and build bridges” to build “strong relations.”
“In the more elevated sense of logic, he (Duterte) hopes the burial would set, you know bring about a cycle of healing for the Filipino people. It’s been a few decades and in fact practically a new generation has grown up not knowing about the Marcos years,” Abella said.
“Some people resent that statement about moving on but I believe it’s a reasonable thing to ask (for) the people do. After this event, they will set aside their differences and learn to build bridges that we might build strong relations,” he added.
Abella said Duterte would not be affected by the criticisms as he already anticipated that there would be protests against the burial. He also claimed that the president would not be distracted by the criticisms while attending the APEC summit.
When asked if he had any complaints during his long trip to Peru, Abella replied: “Hindi. Mukhang presko nga e (No. He even looks fresh).”
“He (Duterte) further said that he hoped everybody would find a space in their hearts to forgive and to set free those who had hurt or injured them.”
Abella claimed that Duterte did not know when exactly the Marcos family intended to bury the former president.
“The decision to bury the late president Ferdinand Marcos today (November 18) is a personal decision of the Marcos family. We respect their choice of date for the interment,” he added.
Abella claimed Duterte only learned about the burial upon his arrival here Friday afternoon. He believes the president was “surprised” as he did not have a prepared statement on the issue.
“There was news coming from social media and so we talked with (presidential communications) secretary Martin (Andanar). I went to see the president, asked him and informed him this event happened and I said if he had a statement. It happened in regularity,” Abella said.
Abella claimed that the government merely extended assistance “in matters related to protocol and honors.”
When reminded that Duterte is the commander-in-chief of the military, which took charge of the ceremony, Abella replied: “As far as I know, there are agencies responsible for these matters…
Actually at the end of the day, it’s a simple burial, you know. So, proper agencies actually addressed the matter.”
Abella also shrugged off notions that the burial was set while Duterte is out of the country so he can escape from the backlash it would cause.
“I’m sure there will be reaction whether negative or positive, whether he’s there or not. It is supposed that these are to be expected and respected. As far as I know, there is no direct conversations (with the Marcoses) regarding those matters. He is on his way and his attention is focused on the trip to Lima,” he said.
Despite the outcry over Duterte’s decision to allow the burial of Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery, Abella believes the president actually did a “courageous” act.
“I think it’s misguided to say that the president is doing a sneaky act. In fact, he has always faced all his situations square and fair. I did not say this is a minor affair but this is a thing of the past. It’s just putting an end to it and I think it’s a very courageous. The fact that he has allowed it is a courageous act already,” he said.
“In the past, he (Duterte) has said let history judge but I will do what is legal and the Supreme Court has ruled that it is.”
Abella said those opposed to the burial can hold protests as long as they are “legal, peaceful and in accordance with the law.” The presidential spokesman, however, hopes the Filipinos can move on “and build bridges” to build “strong relations.”
“In the more elevated sense of logic, he (Duterte) hopes the burial would set, you know bring about a cycle of healing for the Filipino people. It’s been a few decades and in fact practically a new generation has grown up not knowing about the Marcos years,” Abella said.
“Some people resent that statement about moving on but I believe it’s a reasonable thing to ask (for) the people do. After this event, they will set aside their differences and learn to build bridges that we might build strong relations,” he added.
Abella said Duterte would not be affected by the criticisms as he already anticipated that there would be protests against the burial. He also claimed that the president would not be distracted by the criticisms while attending the APEC summit.
When asked if he had any complaints during his long trip to Peru, Abella replied: “Hindi. Mukhang presko nga e (No. He even looks fresh).”
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