Thousands in Philippines protest hero’s burial for former president

World Today

Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ remains may finally be laid to rest now that current President Rodrigo Duterte has given the go-ahead for Marcos to be given a hero’s burial.

Marcos’ body has been preserved in a refrigerated crypt in his hometown in the country’s north for over two decades now.

The decision, however, created a deep divide in the country. On Sunday thousands of people gathered to protest the burial.

CCTV’s Barnaby Lo reports.

Aida Santos has been fighting for justice for over four decades. She was an activist who fought the one-man rule of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

Santos’ story isn’t unique. Among the crowd, there were also those who suffered the same fate. Now more than ever, they said Filipinos need to be reminded of the abuses under the Marcos regime, which ended in 1986 after a mass uprising.

This follows after President Rodrigo Duterte authorized a state funeral for one of the most notoriously corrupt world leaders in history.

President Duterte said the decision to allow Marcos a final resting place at the national heroes’ cemetery is final.