After the surprise burial of the late president and dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) on Fri, Nov 18, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos apologized to their supporters for keeping the burial a secret.
“Kasama namin kayong nangarap at nanalangin sa halos tatlong dekada na makita ang araw na ito. Kaya naman ako po’y humihingi ng dispensa at pangunawa sa naging pasya ng aking pamilya na gawing payak, pribado at taimtim ang paglibing sa aking ama upang hindi na masaling ang mga nagdaramdam,” Gov. Marcos said, now referring to the feelings of the multitudes opposing her father’s burial at the LNMB.
(You’ve dreamed and prayed with us for almost three decades for this day to happen. So now I’m begging for your forgiveness and understanding for our decision to keep this event private, simple and solemn – so as not to offend those who are hurting.)
“Sa wakas napatupad sa araw na ito ang huling habilin ng aking minamahal na ama… na maihimlay kasama ng kanyang mga kapwa sundalo,” she said in her official statement.
(At last on this day, the wish of my beloved father… to be buried together with fellow soldiers has been fulfilled.)
Gov. Marcos thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for suggesting that the Marcos patriarch be buried at the hallowed grounds of the heroes’ cemetery. She also thanked the Supreme Court, who voted 9-5-1 in favor of the burial on Nov 8.
She adds, “Ako at ang aking pamilya ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat na nagpatotoo sa karapatan ng aking ama na mapanatag sa Libingan ng mga Bayani… Dama namin ang inyong matinding hangaring maihatid ang aking ama sa kanyang huling himlayan.”
(My family and I give our heartfelt thanks to all of you who testified to my father’s right to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani… We feel your deep desire to bring our father to his last resting place.)
As she was delivering her statement, droves of anti-Marcos burial protesters have gathered outside the LNMB, at the People Power Monument along EDSA and at Ayala Triangle Garden in Makati City. Students from three universities along Katipunan Avenue (University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College) left their classrooms and marched together, as vehicles plying the avenue honked their horns loudly to join the protest.
Gov. Marcos ends her statement, “Walang hanggang pasasalamat. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.”
(Unending gratitude. Long live the Philippines.)
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